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Manhattan Beach moves to reshape downtown with Project Pulse, microtransit pilot and city fiber backbone
Summary
City Manager Talin Mirzakanyan outlined 'Project Pulse'—the coordinated redevelopment of 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard and Parking Lot 3—plus a summer Circuit microtransit pilot, business license tax modernization, portable‑sign regulation updates, and the MBATS fiber backbone to improve traffic and connectivity.
City Manager Talin Mirzakanyan used the State of the City to frame a business-forward agenda centered on redeveloping two downtown properties and upgrading infrastructure. She said the city acquired the former U.S. Bank at 400 Manhattan Beach Boulevard about a year ago, giving the city control to coordinate redevelopment with Parking Lot 3 through an effort called "Project Pulse." "Based on this positioning, we launched Project Pulse, a coordinated effort to reimagine what these two parcels can become," she said.
Mirzakanyan described steps to address parking after the 2024 Parking Lot 3 demolition and announced a new on-demand electric microtransit pilot (Circuit) approved to connect business corridors; staff are finalizing details with a planned summer debut. She also described a business license tax modernization initiative intended to make the code clearer, fairer and fiscally sustainable, and said staff are revising rules governing A-frame and portable signs to give businesses more flexibility while preserving walkability.
On infrastructure, the city described the Manhattan Beach Advanced Traffic Signal System (MBATS) and a new fiber-optic backbone that will enable real-time signal coordination, citywide connectivity and long-term cost savings for city facilities. Mirzakanyan characterized the fiber project as a scalable, resilient digital asset to support future economic growth.
The city requested community input on downtown options and said council has directed staff to pursue parking and mixed-use outcomes that balance open space with the community character.
