SMMUSD Looks To Purchase Civic Auditorium

SANTA MONICA, CA — The long-shuttered Santa Monica Civic Auditorium may get a new life with the Santa Monica Malibu Unified School District's plans to purchase the historic building and update it to accommodate the district's needs.

In October 2022, the Civic Auditorium was designated as surplus by the city, which inspired the school district to express interest in acquiring and revitalizing the building. The district conducted a feasibility study in March to determine whether it would be beneficial to purchase, repair and upgrade the building.

"SMMUSD has a strong interest in the purchase and preservation of this historic multi-use facility providing the City and residents with an opportunity for a trusted community partner to restore and bring this community treasure back to life," said Superintendent Dr. Antonio Shelton.

The Civic Auditorium was built in 1958 and was used for a variety of events such as concerts, exhibitions, sporting events and as the host of the Academy Awards. In 2013, the auditorium was closed because it required seismic, accessibility and various other upgrades.

With SMMUSD's feasibility study, the district looked at its options to bring the facility back to use and retain its historic integrity. The purchase and modernization of the Civic would add needed space to Santa Monica High School and would decrease the duration of the pre-existing Samohi Campus Plan by nearly eight years, officials said.

"Any District restoration of the Civic would include a recognition/commemoration of the people who were displaced from the Belmar neighborhood and once again provide the community a valued resource that has been closed for a decade," officials said in a statement.

District officials plan to present the results of the feasibility study at Thursday night's School Board Meeting. With the completion of the study, SMMUSD and the City will decide whether to proceed with negotiations.

Community members were encouraged to share input in the discussions over what happens with the Civic Auditorium via Let's Talk on the district's website.

"We look forward to gaining community input in this process as we seek to restore this historic property as an educational, entertainment, recreational and community facility that everyone will be proud of," shelton said.