OJAI : Car Dealership, Park Planned for Gateway

Plans to beautify the Ojai gateway were firmed up this week as the City Council fine-tuned a project that would transform a vacant parcel at California 150 and California 33 into a new car lot and a public park.

The council approved a tentative agreement with car dealer Richard Bronk, owner of Bronk Vreeland Ford, to share the cost of the land with the city.

Mayor Steve Olsen said he views the partnership as a good deal for both the car dealership and Ojai residents.

“The intersection is such a key part of the city and it’s been neglected for so long that I think it’s time we do something about it,” Olsen said.

Under the plan, the city would spend up to $100,000 to acquire one-third of the vacant lot located just north of the intersection of the two highways that is now owned by Southern Pacific Railroad Co.

Bronk Vreeland Ford would move from its leased site at 821 W. Ojai Ave. into two buildings to be built on the site, with the address of 1023 W. Ojai Ave. The buildings would have a total of 9,700 square feet.

Councilwoman Nina Shelley told her council colleagues the park should serve primarily as open space.

“We don’t want a lot of picnic tables,” Shelley said. “We want it to be a very simple park, with trees and ground cover so it’s more or less a resting spot.”

Shelley also proposed some hitching posts and a water source be installed for horses.

Although the council approved a tentative agreement with Bronk, Shelley said negotiators have not agreed on a selling price or details of the proposed buildings.

Small landscaped areas also would be installed on the other sides of the intersection to enhance all three corners, Olsen said.