Senator steps into Cove debate

Andrew Edwards

State Sen. John Campbell is poised to open a new round in the series

of debates over Crystal Cove State Park. Citing cost overruns related

to the restoration of the park’s historic cottages, Campbell said he

is working on a proposal to take management of the scenic park out of

the state’s hands.

Campbell wants to put management of the entire park under the

auspices of a nonprofit group, he said. He is still working on

specifics of his idea, which he said was spurred by a recent request

by the Parks and Recreation Department for about $2 million to

complete renovation of the park’s 46 cottages.

“There’s just no state money,” Campbell said. “The only place you

can go is private.”

The state senator said Saturday that he plans to tour the park

today with Crystal Cove Alliance founder Laura Davick. Campbell cited

the alliance, a nonprofit group, as a candidate to manage the park.

A nonprofit could seek grants from the federal government and the

private sector, Campbell said. He also said he would work to convince

other legislators to deny the parks department’s request. His idea

follows Newport Beach Assemblyman Chuck DeVore’s proposal for an

audit of the cottage project.

DeVore’s request came after his decision to abandon two bills he

proposed that would have extended the leases for tenants living in

Crystal Cove’s El Morro Village mobile home park.

The first phase of the project -- which would have rebuilt 22

cottages at a cost of $12 million -- was initially anticipated to be

ready by March. The first phase is now expected to be completed

sometime in the fall. Parks department spokesman Roy Stearns said it

was not unreasonable for the agency to seek more money, given

storm-related problems and inherent uncertainties involved with

restoring historic structures.

“Once we lifted floors off these places, we found foundations were

in poor shape,” Stearns said. “Walls were in really poor shape from

termite damage.”

Stearns also said he believes it would be too difficult for a

nonprofit group to manage the entire park.

The Crystal Cove Alliance has been working with the parks

department to raise funds for the cottage project. Campbell said he

has not yet opened discussions with the group.

Davick said five cottages have been completed and that she has

seen no mismanagement in the cottage project.

The idea of turning the park over to a nonprofit alarmed Joan

Irvine Smith, a member of the alliance’s advisory board and an

advocate for public use of Crystal Cove. She said she worried a

nonprofit could be an “open sesame” for development of the area.

Campbell responded that developing the park is not the intent of

his idea and that rules could be made to prevent development if the

park is turned over to any group.

Concerning the possibility of her group managing the park, Davick

only said the Alliance’s board seriously considers all issues related

to the cottage project.