Plaza project on course for Ojai Day finish
by C.A. Gilman

Ojai merchants met with city officials Thursday morning at the Nordhoff Hall at the Offices at the Pew for an update on the Arcade Plaza redevelopment project.
City Redevelopment Analyst Kathy McCann, the project coordinator for the project, Project Manager and City Liaison Neva Williams, Public Works Director Stan Hakes; Community Development Director Robert Casias and Ojai Police Chief Gary Pentis presented an overview of the project, answered questions and asked for input from the store owners and professionals in the audience.
McCann said, "Thanks for everything. You have been great and put up with our mess, but it will be worth it! And I'm happy to announce that we are on time despite the original underwater utility issues that took additional work to ensure the area wouldn't be affected in the future.
"There's been a lot more excitement as the bricklaying has begun and the beautiful tile work is going up. Most of the work will be done by Ojai Day on Oct. 19. The artwork should come next week. The new art pedestal behind Bonnie Lu's is 90 percent complete and the wood work for the new information kiosk is in progress."
The Arcade Plaza project team has been communicating their efforts to the merchants and community since before construction began. From their office at the project site in Ojai Realty, to weekly ads in the local newspaper, to the Arcade Plaza Web site and weekly merchant information bulletins, a full page ad in the Ojai Valley Summer Visitors' Guide, to plans for the Ojai Day ribbon cutting event.
"We are hoping that the passthrough for those with doors that open onto the plaza will be completed by Sept. 23. By Ojai Day, all but east alley improvements and some landscaping will be done. We plan that those will be completed by Nov. 15."
Project Manager Williams said, "It is really to soon to tell if they'll all be done by that date."
There was discussion about trash pick up, additional recycling bins, public restrooms, safety measures, signs for merchants off Ojai Avenue, skateboarding, and parking regulations and enforcement.
Hakes distributed copies of maps of downtown Ojai with recommended parking restrictions. Everyone agreed to increase two-hour parking areas to three so that customers would have enough time to do their shopping and eat. The parking lot between Aliso and Matilija will become regulated for all-day parking so that business owners and employees would have places to park and wouldn't need to occupy the spaces and lots closest to the shops.
The restrooms will be maintained and locked at night by city employees.
There was some discussion of vagrants and car burglaries. Capt. Pentis asked that the merchants call when they see problems. "We need to hear from you as soon as you can."
Community Development Director Casias announced that he would be hiring a code compliance officer to help with enforcement so that they can maintain the city's high standards. He said his department wanted to work with them on changes that they want to see.
All agreed with Neva Williams suggestion for a public drop-off area for recyclables so that residents wouldn't need to use the merchants' recycling bins.

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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