Santa Monica’s Pickleball Initiative: In a highly competitive selection process, a Santa Monica-based initiative spearheaded by Stephanie McCaffrey’s Picklepop has secured the space at Parking Structure 3. The site, initially earmarked for a 360-degree immersive Haibu dome, will now feature a unique blend of pickleball courts, padel courts, and a “luxury dog park,” all conceived through the collaborative efforts of McCaffrey, Jonathan Neeter of the Pickleball Center, and Mary Pat Faley of Pickletown.
Proposal Shift and Controversy
The journey to securing the site began with a Request for Proposals (RFP) posted in late August for the “Immersive Outdoor Temporary Use (1318 4th Street),” following funding setbacks with the Haibu project.
The Downtown Santa Monica, Inc. (DTSM) board, which reviewed the proposals, had initially recommended the New York-based CityPickle. However, after a second review by DTSM’s Marketing & Business Development Committee, the board reversed the decision, opting for Pickle Padel Paw, a local collective.
- The RFP was created after the Haibu dome project stalled due to funding issues.
- Pickle Padel Paw’s proposal, which includes padel and pickleball courts, a beer garden, and a dog park, ultimately appealed more to the DTSM committee, citing diversity in offerings as a key factor.
Andrew Thomas, CEO of DTSM, explained the shift in priorities.
“We talked about the diversity of uses and the committee and had a really great point, which is that risk comes in many forms, and there’s a risk of dedicating the site entirely to pickleball, as opposed to diversification, which would be pickleball, padel, and then also the dog park.” – (Andrew Thomas)
“The committee had a really great point…there’s a risk in dedicating the site entirely to pickleball,” he noted, highlighting the importance of diversifying activities to attract a broader audience.
The Role of the DTSM Committee
Despite the committee’s initial recommendation for CityPickle, the final decision was handed to Pickle Padel Paw after discussions focused on creating a more varied community space. Notably, one committee member, Edna Galindo, recused herself due to a connection with the property owner where Picklepop operates.
- The final vote on the Pickle Padel Paw proposal was a formality after the committee’s review.
- Members like Lucian Tudor of DTSM emphasized the importance of pre-screening contenders before the final presentation.
McCaffrey, who leads Picklepop, expressed her team’s dedication to bringing new opportunities to the community. “We’ve put everything we have into activating the community,” she shared, showing the collective commitment to ensuring the concept’s success.
“It’s hard to speak about how excited we are for this opportunity … but I think if I had to sum it up, I would say that we all have put blood, sweat, tears, capital, everything we have, into activating community [sic] within this city.” – (McCaffrey)
The Vision Behind the Project
The winning proposal includes a range of amenities designed to cater to various interests in the community:
- Two 68 ft by 35 ft padel courts.
- Four 60 ft by 30 ft pickleball courts.
- A beer garden with seating and food stands.
- A premium dog park, managed by Dogdrop, a Los Angeles-based dog daycare center.
With projected annual revenues of $2.9 million, Pickle Padel Paw is optimistic about the site’s success, positioning it as a hub for sports fans, dog lovers, and local businesses.
Impact on Local Economy
The Parking Structure 3 site, once a parking garage, has remained empty since its demolition in November 2022, following a failed legal battle to halt the project.
Plans for the site include a multi-level affordable housing project with ground-floor retail and subterranean parking, though economic concerns have delayed further development.
News in Brief: Santa Monica’s Pickleball Initiative
A collaborative effort from Santa Monica’s pickleball community, led by Picklepop’s Stephanie McCaffrey, has won the bid for the 4th Street site. The new space will feature pickleball courts and padel courts, a beer garden, and a dog park. Pickle Padel Paw’s proposal won after a controversial selection process, replacing an earlier recommendation for CityPickle. The venture is projected to generate $2.9 million annually.
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