Balboa Village fit for summer

June Casagrande

NEWPORT BEACH -- The piers are remodeled, the first phase of Balboa

Village renovations is complete, summer is here, and the city couldn’t be

prouder.

What started as a little ceremony to honor Ruby’s 20th anniversary

blossomed into a three-day event whose kickoff drew about 150 community

members to witness the mayor’s rededicationof the Balboa Pier.

“This is a major historical moment to add to the pages of our

history,” Tod Ridgeway said against a backdrop archway of red, white and

blue balloons. “This makes Balboa a gathering place we can all be proud

of.”

Ridgeway highlighted some of the best and worst moments of the

decade-long, $10-million process of planning and upgrading Balboa

Village, the piers, the Balboa Pier parking lot and restrooms. He also

thanked several dozen community members and city staffers who worked to

make the renovations happen.

After Ruby’s staff asked the city to help celebrate the restaurant’s

anniversary, city officials decided to tie that event to the rededication

of the Balboa Pier and Newport Pier, which unofficially reopened in March

after $2.9 million in renovations.

Then the local merchants got caught up in the excitement, and the

results can be seen all weekend throughout the village area.

“Salute to Summer” includes a sidewalk sale, live music, Shakespeare

in the park, face-painting, a roving balloon vendor and strolling

performances by the Balboa Theater. The events will continue through

Sunday.

Crowds enjoying the activities probably will affirm Ridgeway’s take on

the renovations: “The intent is to create an ambience that is more

pedestrian and less vehicular,” he said. “We can be proud of what we have

done.”