The Mountain at Mullin Park is in its final stretch of construction. As a new academic year begins, Pepperdine is continuing toward its goal of opening the new facilities’ doors by next fall.

Around nine months out from the Palisades Fire and two months out from the Pacific Coast Highway fully reopening, local restaurant owners are not seeing the numbers they were pre-fire. Owners, managers and servers from local restaurants said they are staying optimistic throughout this difficult time for business.

Pepperdine’s class of 2029 will begin classes Aug. 18. Four incoming first-years shared their feelings about entering this new stage of life.