City going that extra Mariner’s Mile

Paul Clinton

What was once a bustling boater’s paradise of yacht shops, parts

retailers and other marine businesses has lost some of its luster,

civic leaders say.

Mariner’s Mile now relies more on a handful of lucrative sales

tax-generating auto dealers and hot-spot restaurants, but still needs

revitalizing, city and business leaders agree.

With an eye toward bringing back the hustle and bustle of the

Newport Harbor-lining commercial strip, officials and merchants are

putting together a series of improvements expected to raise the level

of commercial activity.

“[Mariner’s Mile] is in transition to something better,” said Ned

McCune, who owns the commercial building that houses a Starbucks

coffeehouse at 2700 W. Coast Highway. “There is a transition away

from marine uses with the rising of rents. A lot of these businesses

have gone to Costa Mesa.”

The city’s public works department has begun improving sidewalks

and medians, as well as installing palm trees. Last month, the City

Council hired Cash Engineering to study whether the city could

install a cantilevered boardwalk in the business district. The

council handed the company $50,000 to complete an engineering study.

“We’re going to have to discuss and negotiate with the folks down

there,” Councilman Tod Ridgeway said. “Long-term, the No. 1 issue

down there is parking.”

Ridgeway has proposed building a public parking structure behind

McCune’s building.

In addition to the public improvements, a handful of business

owners are expanding their businesses or filling vacant storefronts.

However, several high-profile vacancies still nag.

A plan to add two new restaurants to replace Aysia 101, which

closed in January 2002, has been shelved after city inspectors said

the building was in deplorable shape.

Former locations for the Windows on the Bay and Chili’s

restaurants, which are on opposite ends of the strip, have been

vacant for several years.

Councilman Don Webb, whose district incudes Mariner’s Mile, isn’t

alarmed by the vacancies or aging buildings there.

“The infrastructure is in pretty good shape,” Webb said. “However,

the appearance of Mariner’s Mile could use some sprucing up.”

Perhaps more promising, two vacancies are in line to be filled.

Sterling BMW has purchased two adjacent parcels, one of which was

once the home of the garishly designed Auto Bistro, for a used-car

center.

“We don’t expect to build before the beginning of next year,” said

John Belanger, Sterling’s general manager. “It’s going to be a

pre-owned department.”

Intercontinental Hotels Group has also announced plans to convert

the former Newport Classic Inn into a 54-room Holiday Inn Express.

The hotel is expected to open later this summer.

* PAUL CLINTON covers the environment, business and politics. He

may be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail at

paul.clinton@latimes.com.