SANTA MONICA — The city of Santa Monica posted that it is starting a Mass Timber Accelerator, a year-long pilot program for developers interested in exploring the use of mass timber. …Santa Monica’s Mass Timber Accelerator is part of the Accelerator Cities Program—co-funded by the Softwood Lumber Board and the USDA Forest Service—which provides a structured pathway for local governments to explore, implement, and showcase the benefits of advanced wood building systems. Through the program, Santa Monica and participants will receive financial, technical, and educational support from federal and industry partners. Participants will receive expert assistance from WoodWorks on structural design, fire resistance, code compliance, and detailing of mass timber systems. …Applications can be completed via the Use the Santa Monica Mass Timber Application Guide. Applications are due to the Office of Sustainability & the Environment on February 27, 2026.