Merchants get lowdown on Arcade upgrade
by Bret Bradigan

No question about it, said city officials Wednesday, redevelopment plans for the Arcade Plaza are going to inflict pain on merchants. But with close communication, signs, marketing and patience, that pain can be made bearable.
"It's absolutely going to be inconvenient," said Dan Singer, Ojai's city manager. "In the long term, we absolutely believe it'll bring in more people to your business, and it'll be more beautiful."
The Arcade Plaza renewal project is scheduled to start April 29, and is designed to improve the appearance, parking, pedestrian circulation , entries and gateways of the downtown landmark. Public art and facade improvements are also part of the plan, which will total about $1.8 million, and is scheduled to be completed before Thanksgiving. The previous renovation took place 12 years ago.
About 60 merchants and interested people attended the breakfast meeting at the Offices at the Pews, where concerns centered on parking, construction disruptions, vandalism and security. Besides city officials Singer and Kathy McCann, Redevelopment Analyst, project manager Neva Williams and representatives of McGillvray Construction, the successful bidder for the project, were on hand to field questions.
McCann said that Arcade renewal design was done by RRM Design Group of San Luis Obispo, and that many of the features - light fixtures, pavers, tile, etc. - were included after consulting with local residents and merchants to be consistent with Ojai style. The plaza centerpiece will be a bronze Matilija poppy sculpture with fountain, created by Sandra Johnson, a San Luis Obispo artist, surrounded by sandstone benches.
This attention to design details, McCann said, informed the entire renewal process, which began in 1997. "One of the things we wanted to include in the plaza was sense of heart, a sense of place," she said.
Businesses with entrances onto the plaza - Arcade Salon, Busy Babes, Christian Science Reading Room and the Ojai Valley Land Conservancy - will be the most affected, said McCann, and people from those businesses did express their concerns about taking out shade trees, as well as closing them off from their customers.
Neva Williams said that the first phase of the construction, expected to last until September, will effectively shut down the interior space of the plaza. Businesses may have to take deliveries through their front doors, she said.
Steve McGillvray said that the first period of construction will involve grading and demolition work. This will be noisy and disruptive, he said. But "won't shut you down for long periods of time."
Williams and McGillvray said they would work closely with merchants on the construction schedule to minimize those disruptions. "We're going to use appropriate equipment for the job," McGillvray said. "We will take into account businesses as best we can."
Singer said that the low-bid process won by McGillvray Construction had its drawbacks in the loss of flexibility, or ability to accept proven performers familiar with the area. But he said the city was fortunate, because McGillvray lives in Ojai, and has done other projects in and around the Ojai Valley.
Parking was brought up several times. Singer admitted the project would result in a net loss of 18 spaces. He said that most of those spaces would be lost along Matilija Street, where the present spaces are not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Those spaces would be lost regardless, he said.
Niles Dohrn, with Bonnie Lu's, brought up two concerns, sewage problems and security problems. He said local hooligans clambered on top the roof for parties and malicious mayhem.
Capt. Gary Pentis, Ojai Police Chief, said that suspects had been arrested for burglaries, though he acknowledged that others were likely to take their place. He suggested that locking devices for roof access would help, as would merchant vigilance.
Hallie Katz, of Human Arts, said that skateboarders were a recurring menace, particularly in the walkthrough by Nancy Rupp Studio. "They will ruin whatever you put in there if it's not a deterrent," she said. McCann said design elements included oak leaf wraps on curbs and other edges to deter skateboarders.
Plans for getting the information out about the renovations and construction schedule were discussed. Singer said that city staff would work with Elements, a graphics and design firm, on a campaign to run through the construction, including newspaper ads. A website, signs and brochures would also part of the approach.
Singer said further meetings would address security, trash pickup and more specific situations that emerge as construction commences.
Mary Trudeau, owner of Rainbow Bridge, said she understood the benefits in the long term of a revitalized city showcase. "We've got to keep looking at the long-term goal," she said, and acknowledged the obstacles ahead. "I hope the public is nice to you."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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