City Council support likely for highway project

Mathis Winkler

NEWPORT BEACH -- It’s a cautious first step, but an important one

nonetheless.

City Council members debated late into the night Tuesday whether to

request state support for the takeover of Corona del Mar’s East Coast

Highway from Caltrans. Council support seemed likely since a delay of the

decision would probably postpone the street’s transfer until 2003 and put

“Vision 2004” on hold for another year.

Should the street’s transfer happen in early 2002, village leaders can

begin to turn “Vision 2004” into reality.

The $12-million project would redesign Corona del Mar’s major

thoroughfare and add linear parks, benches and outdoor dining areas.

Among other improvements, Caltrans’ standard “cobra head” street lamps

would be replaced with green “heritage” models in an effort to turn the

unsightly stretch into a pedestrian-oriented shopping and dining

destination.

“I think it’s a worthy project,” said Councilman Dennis O’Neil, who

represents Corona del Mar on the council. “I believe it’s a good thing to

do.”

Like some of his colleagues, O’Neil cautioned that the project would

come with a hefty increase in maintenance costs.

While the city currently spends about $23,663 annually on street

sweeping, trash pickup and tree trimming -- among other things -- that

number would increase to almost $250,000 once the redesign has taken

place.

While project supporters acknowledged that the city would have to bear

the brunt of these costs, a much more attractive street would draw

visitors and increase sales taxes for the city.

“Vision 2004” supporters include both the Corona del Mar and Newport

Harbor Area chambers of commerce, the Corona del Mar Residents Assn.,

several homeowners associations, the city’s planning and parks, beaches

and recreation commissions and the economic development committee.

As part of the highway transfer, the city is likely to receive money

from the California Department of Transportation since the state agency

is required to hand over streets in a “state of good repair.” That

basically means the highway’s supposed to be in a condition that’s good

for the next 10 years, city officials said.

City officials have cautioned in the past that Caltrans paid for a

major reconstruction project a few years ago, making it less likely that

the city would receive a lot of money from the state.

Project supporters said the price tag was still up for negotiation.

“We have other reasons why we should get more,” said Edward Selich,

chair of the city’s planning commission and “Vision 2004” project

coordinator. He added that he didn’t want to divulge any details that

could hurt the groups negotiating power.

Still, council members made it clear that the amount of money would

influence their final decision on whether to accept the takeover or not.

“We’re not ultimately voting [tonight,]” said Councilman Tod Ridgeway.

“This just puts the process in motion.”

City Manager Homer Bludau confirmed that council members could still

drop the idea.

“If the council finds the deal unacceptable, they can back out,” he

said.

FYI

For more information on “Vision 2004,” go to o7

http//:www.cdmvillage.com

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