Briefly in the news

-- Mathis Winkler

They’re still concerned about the money. But City Council members will

at least look at a $12-million remodeling project for East Coast Highway

in Corona del Mar.

Tuesday’s unanimous vote to request support for the takeover of the

village’s main artery from Caltrans will allow “Vision 2004” supporters

to push forward with a plan to turn the highway into a more

pedestrian-oriented shopping and dining mile.

As part of the transfer from Caltrans, the city’s likely to receive

about $4 million. That sum’s still subject to negotiations. But while

council members expressed concern over finding additional funds to cover

the project’s costs, project supporters said federal and state grants

could be used to make up the difference.

If the transfer gets approved as part of a Caltrans bill and the

city’s leaders sign off on the deal, Newport Beach will control the

highway by early 2002. While maintenance costs for the street will rise

from $23,663 to almost $250,000, an increase in sales tax from the

revived highway could make up for some of that.

Should council members think that the city can’t afford the project

once negotiations with Caltrans are completed, they can still back out of

the deal.