The redevelopment of the Santa Monica City Yards is an unobtrusive yet critical upgrade to the heart of operations for essential City of Santa Monica public works services. Since the 1940s, City Yards has served as the home for public works employees and a launchpad for infrastructure maintenance crews and operations. Led by design-build partners, Hathaway Dinwiddie and The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP, the goal of the phased master plan is to replace outdated facilities and address various deficiencies built up over the last 80 years. Numerous community meetings were held to inform the surrounding neighborhood of the planned changes and allow members to voice their concerns and contribute to the design of the master plan. The outcome is a city-funded master plan covering the whole 14.7-acre site and providing a better working environment and protected circulation for city workers. The refreshed character of the site and its facilities uses functional elements and durable materials to reflect the nature of the work done by City Yards while elevating the industrial complex as a sustainable community amenity. Gender-neutral locker facilities and restrooms are available for city workers, while net-zero energy and water neutrality contribute to the project’s sustainability goals. Inspired by the structure of a zipper, the design concept knits together and integrates the new City Yards with the surrounding arts district neighborhood along Michigan Avenue in a way that is economical, functional, educational, and symbolic of the city’s commitment to environmentally responsible development. The design improves the visual permeability of the Yards to bring public awareness to the essential public works services provided by the City and dramatically improves the daily work environment for the 200+ city employees who make these services possible. Miller Hull improved the pedestrian experience on Michigan Avenue through landscape work and a series of pedestrian eddies that lead to a landscaped public plaza. Event space will include a community room and enclosed outdoor courtyard for the community to use after hours and access independently of the Yards. Construction for Package A began in July 2019 with Phase 1, the Fleet Building, complete. Phase 2, an Administration Building, and phase 4, a Fire Training Facility, are set to complete in late 2022. Phase 3 includes four additional facilities buildings and an entry plaza. Phase 3 and Package B and C are on indefinite hold from COVID-19 budget cuts. Project Details Completion: Package A - Phase 1 completed in 2021 Package A - Phase 2 set to complete in late 2022 Location: Santa Monica, CA Client: City of Santa Monica Architect: The Miller Hull Partnership, LLP Contractor: Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company