Briefly

--Deepa Bharath

The first in a series of workshops on how to restore Crystal Cove’s

historic district for public use will be held April 26 by the state

Department of Parks and Recreation.

It will begin at 7 p.m. in the multipurpose room at Lincoln Elementary

School, 3101 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar.

The state acquired the property from the Irvine Co. in 1979 and

designated it as Crystal Cove State Park in 1980.

In 1996, state officials signed a contract with a private development

company to renovate the historic district and put in a luxury hotel.

The proposal met with strong opposition from both residents of the

beachside community and environmentalists. The proposal was scrapped last

month, though residents of the historic cottages still face a July

eviction date.

Parks department officials said widespread opposition was the reason

they canceled the contract and decided to get the public involved in

deciding the issue. Officials said they hope to hold two or three public

workshops now through September.

The public planning process involves looking at possible uses for the

site, ongoing preservation and recreational opportunities, officials

said.

Information: Alan Tang, (916) 653-6466, or o7

https://www.parks.ca.govf7 .