Costa Mesa’s Del Mar corner gets a new look

A major entryway into Costa Mesa’s Eastside is receiving some sprucing up in the coming months.

Construction has begun in the 100 block of Del Mar Avenue where it meets Newport Boulevard, next to the 55 Freeway.

Unused areas of Del Mar Avenue’s asphalt — which is extra wide and next to commercial properties — will receive a decorative crosswalk and landscaped median containing a monument sign that highlights the street’s significance as the beginning of a residential neighborhood, according to city officials.

A related project also in the works is rehabilitating the pavement along Del Mar, between Elden and Santa Ana avenues.

The two projects could be completed by March.

The Del Mar Avenue beautification effort has been a few years coming.

Design work began in 2013, after the City Council approved a $28,043 contract to Costa Mesa-based David Volz Design Landscape Architects, Inc. Volz has also worked on designs for West 19th Street and Harbor Boulevard.

Volz completed a topographic survey, cost estimates and concept plans.

In 2014, the Parks and Recreation Commission signed off on the median’s drought-tolerant plant choices, and by fall 2015, the City Council selected a construction firm from among 10 that applied to do the job.

Buena Park-based HYM Engineering, Inc. is being paid nearly $300,000 to do the work, using gas tax funds and money from the 2013-14 capital improvement budget.