Study Recommends Civic Improvements

Manhattan Beach has completed an eight-month study on how to improve its downtown area, calling for building additional parking structures, starting a police foot patrol and allowing restaurants and cafes to have sidewalk dining.

The recently completed strategic plan was conducted to improve the thriving retail and dining area and outline goals for the community. The city hopes to begin making improvements and additions in the report as soon as next year.

Throughout the study, workshops were held for residents and business owners to suggest the changes they would like to see made to the area, said Dave Doyle, assistant to the city manager.

Residents and business owners said they want their downtown area to be a safe, attractive, pedestrian-friendly village with a small-town atmosphere. They also want an economy that can sustain numerous activities and family and cultural events for the local community.

“The downtown improvement project gave us the opportunity to look at our downtown area,” Doyle said. “It was the first time we created a vision and spelled out what we want our downtown to be.”