Taking Action: The Pico Wellbeing Project

October 17, 2018 10:42 AM
by Naomi Urabe

This article originally appeared in the October edition of Seascape. 

The Pico Wellbeing Project (PWP) is a collaborative effort of the community, the Office of Civic Wellbeing, the Planning and Community Development Department, and the Santa Monica Public Library. It is built around the dimensions of the Wellbeing Index which include: Health, Economic Opportunity, Learning, Community, and Place and Planet. Through the Project, community members in the Pico neighborhood identify challenges and co-create solutions to improve quality of life.

In January 2018, the City Council directed Staff to develop an inclusive and action-oriented project focused on the Pico neighborhood. The PWP will include an examination of City zoning and land use regulations in the neighborhood and on Pico Boulevard. The project is based on the understanding that any potential zoning changes should also be accompanied by more comprehensive actions to address complex issues.

With the participation of more than 70 community members, the PWP had a successful launch at Virginia Avenue Park on June 30, 2018. This Community Workshop offered residents, business owners and other stakeholders in the Pico neighborhood an opportunity to address
the most pressing challenges the community faces. More than 1,000 ideas to strengthen the neighborhood were generated at the event, ranging from proposed partnerships with Santa Monica College, to exploring safer bike and traffic routes.

The City is working to develop new and creative partnerships with the community. For example, Wellbeing Microgrants are one pilot program designed to support this goal. These small-scale, resident-led projects focus on one or more of the findings from the Community dimension of the Wellbeing Index.

The time to participate in the Pico Wellbeing Project is now! If you have any suggestions for the Pico neighborhood or would like to find out about upcoming opportunities to participate, please visit picowellbeing.smgov.net.

Engaging the Community The Pico Wellbeing Project is using the Wellbeing Index to create a different approach to community engagement. The Community Clothesline Pop-Ups and Coffee Chats at various public spaces around the neighborhood have created opportunities for residents to brainstorm collectively and share ideas for improving wellbeing in the Pico neighborhood.

Authored By

Naomi Urabe
Administrative Staff Assistant