The Olympic Pivot: Reimagining the Windward Gateway

CAMPBELL WELLMAN PROPERTIES VENICE SIGN VENICE CALIFORNIA WINDWARD AVE

If you’ve spent any time at the intersection of Pacific and Windward, you know the feeling: you’re standing under the world-famous "VENICE" sign, trying to capture that iconic photo, while dodging a constant stream of delivery trucks and through-traffic.

For over three decades, proposals to "pedestrianize" Windward Avenue have sat on city shelves. But as of April 2026, the conversation has shifted from "if" to "how." With the 2028 Olympic Games just two years away, the Venice Neighborhood Council is currently reviewing two major concepts that could permanently change the face of the neighborhood.

The Proposals: "Partial" vs. "Full" Pedestrianization

The current focus is on the two blocks between Speedway and Windward Circle. The goal is to reclaim the street for people, but the methods vary:

  • The "Full Plaza" Concept: This would convert the block between Speedway and Pacific into a 100% pedestrian zone. No traffic, no parking—just a raised plaza for outdoor dining, art, and foot traffic.

  • The "Hybrid" Concept: The second block (Pacific to Windward Circle) would become a park-like space while retaining a single westbound lane for local alley access.

Why Now? The "Games for All" Initiative

Under Mayor Karen Bass’s "Games for All" framework, the city is aggressively fast-tracking infrastructure projects that improve "Station Experience" and pedestrian safety in high-traffic tourist zones. Windward is the primary artery for the millions of visitors who flock to the Boardwalk annually. Officials view this overhaul as a legacy project—a way to ensure Venice looks its absolute best when the world’s cameras arrive in 2028.

The Local Tension: Progress vs. Practicality

While the renderings of leafy plazas and open-air cafés are compelling, the "Boutique" reality of Venice is always more complex. Local business owners and residents are currently weighing in via an online survey (circulating as of April 7th) to voice concerns about parking loss, delivery logistics, and how a car-free zone affects the "gritty authenticity" that makes Venice, Venice.

The Campbell Wellman Take: From a real estate perspective, high-quality pedestrian infrastructure is a proven value-add. We’ve seen in other global cities that "Placemaking"—turning a street into a destination—typically drives long-term commercial and residential premiums. However, the success of a Windward overhaul depends entirely on the execution of the "last mile" logistics for those who actually live and work here.

 

 

What Do You Think?

This is a defining moment for the future of Venice. Is it time to finally get the cars out from under the "VENICE" sign and create a world-class pedestrian plaza? Or will the loss of traffic and parking hurt the local ecosystem more than it helps?

What do you think about the proposed Windward overhaul? Comment below—we want to hear from the locals.