City to Reveal New Approach to Town Center

City workers will unveil a phased approach to complete the Dana Point Town Center at the City Council meeting on Tuesday, February 19.

The plan focuses on the revitalization of the city’s downtown with street improvements to the Pacific Coast Highway and Del Prado Avenue corridor, to create a pedestrian-friendly destination. City Council approved the plan in 2006 and the California Coastal Commission in 2008. But the mixed-use project was halted shortly there after along with the national economy.

Now, the Council will look at a new way to fund the $16 to $19 million project—while still maintaining reserves and a clean financial slate.

“We still operate in the black and provide a five star level of service,” City Manager Doug Chotkevys said at a recent Civic Association Coffee Chat at the Dana Point Harbor. “We have some of the most beautiful infrastructure and streets anywhere. We have money in the bank, and are doing a little bit better than breaking even.”

Chotkevys enlisted Brad Fowler, the city director of Public Works and Engineering, to attack the project in phases to ease the financial burden “so the city wouldn’t have to bite off a $16 to $19 million nugget,” he said. Chotkevys said if the council authorizes city employees to proceed and “the stars line up” construction could begin in the fall.