Arcade Plaza opens today
by C.A. Gilman

The city of Ojai has created an art object, a community gathering place, a rest area, and a center for outdoor dining and concerts. After five years in planning and $2.5 million, a few finishing touches are all that remain to be done when the fences come down on the Arcade Plaza today. According to project manager Neva Williams, all of the central plaza from Rains Department Store and the service alley to Rupp Studio will be available to the public late this afternoon.
Relieved merchants, whose stores abut the plaza and whose businesses have been affected by the construction, eagerly await the project's completion.
Handicap ramps, enclosed trash bins, skateboard-proof benches, attractive rest rooms with baby-changing tables in both men and women's areas - these are a few of the plaza's new features. Others include ceramic tile-enhanced arches, gateways, brick steps, trash receptacles, bike stands and columns.
Natural stones and boulders support benches and surround sculptures. Bronze pavers of sycamore leaves have been laid into the ground next to live sycamores, and bronze oak leaves next to live oaks. The patina on the copper Matilija poppy fountain changes daily with the sunlight. The individually crafted bronze leaves on the low seat walls will deter skateboarders.
Williams pointed out that the designs of the sandblasted brick pavers shift with the time of day and the way the sun hits the ground.
Sycamore and Chinese pistachio trees have been planted in the central parking lot at Matilija and in the west parking lot at Matilija and Signal streets. There are 16 custom-made bike stands as well as some specified bicycle-only parking areas such as the one in front of Ojai Video.
While there have been numerous complaints and concerns from those merchants most affected by the construction, there has also been mutual support among many businesses.
Some of the merchants say that they have lost 50 percent of their foot traffic since the construction began seven months ago. Others have had a hard time keeping their business going. Lisa Clark at Busy Babe's beauty supply store credits Sal Lucido at Blue Sky Music with his help during the past four months. He also provided another access area to her store while the fences have been up.
Nancy Perry at Arcade Hair Company, whose area has fronted a fence during the construction period said, "We've not had any problem with business; customers have always had access." She also acknowledged neighbors Rich Vogel and Marty Weedon of Ojai Sports for their support. They and Panaderia allowed Arcade Hair Company's handicapped and older clients to go through their stores to reach their salon.
Vogel said, "The Plaza is definitely a huge improvement over the past where the trash problem was an eyesore. This is an inviting place for people to come."
Trash bins are now hidden behind stable-like enclosures lining the service entrance off Matilija Street.
Weedon said, "Kathy McCann has bent over backward to accommodate us. Everything she's told us she was going to do is done. If we had a problem she took care of it."
McCann hand delivered weekly bulletins to the merchants to keep them informed.
Although a number of merchants complained of the economic impacts of the construction, they also said that business has been strained since 9/11 and the drop in the stock market.
Alan Rains of Rains Department Store said, "The architecture is very beautiful. But what you don't see is the underground improvements to the infrastructure that needed to be done, and done right this time." Rains was referring to the sewer, water and electrical lines that have been replaced. His store is also undergoing major renovations, which won't be complete until after the beginning of the new year.
According to Williams, all that remains to be done is the East Walkway, formerly referred to as the "Wee Paseo," which is planned to be finished by early December. Additional finishing touches include redwood benches, plantings, signage, and the alleyway that leads to East Ojai Avenue. Williams added that a number of the building owners have also been upgrading their property along with the plaza renovations.
As for the project she has worked on since beginning her job on the city staff, McCann said, "I'm very excited how it will add to this beautiful community. It's a gift to be able to do that kind of project here in Ojai."

© 2002 The Ojai Valley News

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