By Pall Gudgeirsson
“Come on talk to me, so you can see what’s going on” (Marvin Gaye)
Judging by the number of queries I get time and again, there sure are a lot of things going on—and perhaps not going on— in our little burg by the sea! We tend to notice works-in-progress, vacant lots, run-down historic buildings, and empty spaces and wonder why things aren’t getting done. So, from Andrew the Pelican’s travels to the Z-Golf eatery, what’s going on?
When does Andrew the Pelican show up on the Pier for photo-ops? According to our expert fisherman at the pier, when he is in the mood. Sorry, no schedule.
Will the beach trail at Linda Lane ever get lighted? Yup. In order to get people from the Linda Lane parking lot to the pier, 12 pedestrian lights costing $117,000 will be installed to light the beach trail between Linda Lane and the pier by November 22. Brilliant!
Can I renew my business license on-line instead of Pony Express? Beginning in 2013, you can renew and print licenses on the city website using a credit card or use the new kiosk at Community Development.
What is happening with the Miramar? May seem like nothing going on, but a $20,000 grant has been awarded for a Historic Structures Report to get a structural assessment which will include recommendations for identifying adaptive reuses of the theater and bowling alley. We will get there.
What’s up with the base-of-the-pier restroom project? Preliminary design is finished and once cost estimates are finalized will go to the City Council for approval with restoration imminent. New lights and new bathrooms. Gotta like that answer.
When will the General Plan be completed? The General Plan Advisory Committee is hard at work on all elements of the plan and final action on the General Plan, Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan and Climate Action Plan is targeted for May 2013.
Will we have a downtown Christmas tree with 61 days to go to Christmas? The elves are working on it, so stay tuned!
Where is our outlet center? Lots going on with Lehman Brothers prepping for permits to restart Marblehead improvements, including grading of slopes around the Vista Hermosa Bridge. Then you will see trail system construction, Pico park and bluff-top park, Pico street light, landscaping and sidewalks, Vista Hermosa street improvements, street lighting, traffic signals, sidewalks and landscaping. Closing with the grading of the outlet center! It will come.
Z-Golf? Tee it up and welcome Z-Golf as our new operator of the Municipal Golf Course restaurant. Look for the grand opening where Z-Golf will partner with a local charity to introduce themselves to the community and raise money for a great local cause. Z-Golf will be holding a “name the golf course restaurant” contest where the community will be invited to help pick a name for the restaurant. Name that restaurant!
Don’t punish me for my answers. Hopefully I brought some understanding here today so you can see all the good things going on.
Majority of San Clemente residents moved here because it’s a BEACH town. Not a white-walled-red-tile-roof town. San Clemente Historical Society – what a joke – we have residents that are older than our town. The Miramar has stood decaying for decades because of the added restritions and costs that come with a historical designation. We need sand – not more Ole Hanson tiles, hanging baskets or decay caused by the SC Historical Society.