Three Parks and Beaches projects making headway

By Ashley Mackin

Three coastal improvement projects under the auspices of La Jolla Parks and Beaches (LJPB) were discussed at its May 19 meeting the WindanSea S-Curve, Childrens Pool Walk Beautification, and Whale View Point.

The final stage of the WindanSea S-Curve project and the first stage of the Childrens Pool Walk Beautification project each needed an initial assessment from the citys Planning Division that required a $5,000 deposit.

The Windansea S-Curve project would fix the posts, chains and sidewalk gaps along Neptune Place

The good news from the assessment for Childrens Pool Walk (and for project organizer Phyllis Minick) is that the plans are classified as a replacement project, and therefore are exempt from requiring a Coastal Development Permit and CEQA Environmental Impact Report (EIR).

Our worst fears have not been realized, Neri said. It improves our chances of having Childrens Pool Walk be part of the current lifeguard tower construction and our chances (of finishing on schedule) are better.

One fee Neri said he is hoping to avoid is the city-imposed project management fee. With projects like this, he said, the city typically assigns a project manager, who would collect about 30 percent of the project cost. However, because LJPB and Minick are essentially managing the project, Neri said hes hopeful that District 1 City Councilmember Sherri Lightner will go to bat for the project and waive the need for a project manager and the costs associated with that.

As soon as all the boxes are checked from the Planning Division assessment, Neri and Minick will apply for the next required assessment from the Department of Engineering.

Because the work takes place on a public right-of-way, the Department of Engineering must weigh in. Once that application is submitted, it takes two to three months to obtain a permit.

The project would repair the sidewalk and improve the appearance of the area above Childrens Pool. To minimize cost and take advantage of closures and contractors already on site (for the tower work) construction would need to begin by mid-August.

Go here to see the original:
Three Parks and Beaches projects making headway