Village renovations reach second phase

June Casagrande

The $2.8-million second phase of Balboa Village renovations is set

to begin in September, but a court decision on Monday will probably

spell death for either the city’s deadline to complete the work or

for the 25 ficus trees on Main Street.

The city has been negotiating with the Newport Beach Arbor

Society, which sued to stop the city from removing the trees. A

decision is expected Monday.

“It’s possible it could set back the whole thing until next year,”

Public Works Director Steve Badum said.

The second of three phases of work designed to transform Balboa

Village into an attractive, pedestrian-oriented gathering place will

focus on Ocean Front Walk and on Main, Palm and Washington streets.

The light concrete that forms Ocean Front Walk will be replaced

from Adams Street to A Street by colorful lithocrete, similar to

what’s now in front of the pier.

“There’s a blue wave pattern in it; it’s glassy, almost like

mother of pearl,” Badum said. “It should be really good looking.”

Work on Main Street, if it happens, is expected to be more

extensive and thus disruptive. Workers plan to tear up the streets

and sidewalks and replace them, as well as put in new street lights

and street furniture. The city had also planned to remove the 25

ficus trees and replace them with young coral gum trees. If the court

puts a stop to the plans, the city might postpone the work for a year

to comply with a California Coastal Commission rule that forbids such

work during the summer months.

Main Street might be closed altogether or reduced to one lane

during a portion of the work.

Mayor Tod Ridgeway said plans to upgrade the Balboa Theater and

the village market could give additional momentum to city work.

“I think that with those two tenants and the continuation of

infrastructure improvements, you’re going to see a much more vibrant

and active Balboa Village,” Ridgeway said. “That’s our goal.”