Results of Renovation to Be Seen Downtown

The city’s renovation will continue this year, and construction is expected to start on half a dozen new commercial and residential projects.

“It’s a sign that downtown Huntington Beach is a vital part of our community and is still very attractive for business,” Planning Director Howard Zelefsky said.

Though redevelopment efforts have been under way for more than a decade, Councilwoman Shirley S. Dettloff said 1996 will be when “we’re really going to see the fruits of our labor.”

Assistant City Administrator Ray Silver cited five projects either planned or being built:

* Ruby’s Surf City Diner at the end of Huntington Beach Pier. Now under construction, the project is expected to be completed by June.

* Duke’s Surf City restaurant on the site of the former Maxwell’s By the Sea restaurant. The existing building will be demolished and a new one built by the fall of 1997.

* The Standard Market building at Walnut Avenue and Main Street, to be demolished. A new two-story structure for commercial use is proposed and awaiting city approval.

* 303 Third Street project, now under construction. It includes an athletic club and other facilities and is slated for completion by late summer.

* Third Block West, a mixed-use project that would have a specialty market, restaurants, and 66 condominiums.

* Main Pier Phase II. Known as the Coultrup project, the two-block condominium and commercial project is being planned by Coultrup Cos., Birtcher Real Estate and a number of downtown property owners. The project is still in preliminary stages.