In brief

Corona del Mar community leaders will present plans for a remodeled

East Coast Highway at Speak Up Newport’s meeting on Wednesday.

Planning Commission Chairman Edward Selich, who coordinates the

project, and Don Glasgow, the chairman of the area’s business improvement

district, will talk about the plan to bring Corona del Mar’s section of

the highway under city control.

The move will allow the city to broaden medians into linear parks as

well as to add outside dining areas along sidewalks in order to create a

village atmosphere for Corona del Mar’s centennial in 2004.

A plan to pave parking stalls with the same stones as the sidewalks

would help to create the illusion of more space to walk and less space to

drive without actually narrowing the street -- a crucial consideration

along this busy stretch of road.

The meeting at the Riverboat Restaurant at 151 E. Coast Highway will

begin with hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m., with the presentation starting at

6 p.m. Guests are welcome and the public is invited to attend.

Speak Up Newport is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to

promoting social welfare, educating the public and improving local

government in Newport Beach.

Information: (949) 224-2266.