Concerns about the proliferation of e-bikes riding along the boardwalk remain a safety issue, especially for seniors who reside at OFW
By Nick Antonicello
The Oceanfront Walk Committee of the Venice Neighborhood Council met Monday evening, December 1st to consider a plethora of topics for 2026 and beyond.
The committee is chaired by Fran Solomon and took place at the Waterfront Cafe at the boardwalk. Other committee members include Todd Eichenberger, me, Noel Johnston, Community Officer Clark Brown, and Deborah Keaton. Also in attendance was Outreach Chair Erica Moore and VNC President Brian Averill.
Also in attendance was Eleni Polakoff, executive director of the Venice Beach BID and Sean Silva, Venice Deputy for LA Councilwoman Traci Park (CD-11).
With about ten or so residents in attendance, the meeting was informal with numerous exchanges with members of the public as well as presentations by both Silva and Polakoff.
Concerns about the proliferation of e-bikes riding along the boardwalk remain a safety issue, especially for seniors who reside at OFW. Chairperson Fran Solomon reported that palm trees have been trimmed and that the overall conditions at the boardwalk are improving.
Silva also announced that a Town Hall for seniors was hosted by CD-11 regarding numerous issues at the boardwalk, and these meetings will be ongoing.
Silva urged all residents to sign up for the CD-11 newsletter ad noted that the start of the 2028 Summer Olympics were less than 1,000 days out with Venice hosting several events. He also noted that Town Halls specific to the Olympics will be forthcoming.
It was noted that a car somehow made its way to the boardwalk, and that corrective action will be taken, especially with the final installation of the Meridian barriers that will ensure greater safety in cooperation with the bollards along OFW.
Silva also reported that new funding for the restoration of the pagodas at the beach has been secured and the goal would be to have them fully restored by the summer of 2026. The pagodas are wooden shade structures originally built by the WPA during the New Deal presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Brief discussions on the future home of the Venice Heritage museum were discussed as well as the anticipated reopening of the Vera Davis Center as well as the future of the dormant Lifeguard Tower.
Polakoff gave a brief overview of the BID’s goals and objectives and spoke specifically to sand mitigation and the collaborative efforts of the BID with Recreation & Parks at the beach.
Discussion of a “Hands across Venice,” human chain during the Olympics would be further discussed at the January meeting.
Nick Antonicello is a thirty-two-year resident of the neighborhood who exclusively covers the deliberations of the Venice Neighborhood Council. Have a take or tip all things Venice? Contact him via e-mail at [email protected]
