A blooming proposal

Noaki Schwartz

CORONA DEL MAR -- As part of the community’s centennial anniversary in

2004, the Business Improvement District has released elaborate plans to

beautify the village by landscaping the intersection where East Coast

Highway meets MacArthur Boulevard.

“It’s a story about big ideas. We started about six or seven years ago --

it’s been a long road,” said chairman Don Glasgow, adding that the plan

has received the support of business owners and residents alike.

The landscape design, which was voluntarily drawn by a group of

architects, features a business district lined with trees and draped with

plants and flowers. While the width of the street is unchanged, grassy

islands soften the look of the corridor.

In keeping with the community’s floral theme, the center of the plan is a

colorful, flower-themed tile mosaic on the road. Organizers have yet to

establish an estimated cost for the extensive landscaping.

The effort is being spearheaded by an impressive group of community

leaders: Don Glasgow, chairman and owner of Minuteman Press; Wade

Roberts, garden director of the Sherman Library & Gardens; Buzz Jackson,

who heads the Chamber of Commerce; Ed Selich, who leads the Planning

Commission; and Christy D. Teague, senior city planner.

“Psychologically, this will slow people down [on Pacific Coast Highway],

though there will be no physical impediments. We want more people on the

street,” Selich said.

Organizers hope the landscaping will cause drivers who speed through the

35-mph zone to slow down when they see that Corona del Mar is a

community. The delay on the one-mile stretch of Coast Highway would

probably be a negligible two or three minutes, Selich said.

The group started the first phase of the plan earlier this year when the

ficus trees along the stretch of road were removed and replaced by

flowering Hong Kong orchid trees and palm trees.

Though some residents were upset at the loss of their beloved ficus

trees, many were later pacified by the idea that the entire area would be

beautified, Glasgow said.

However, a possible roadblock to the plan’s success will be whether

Newport Beach can acquire that portion of Coast Highway -- including the

sidewalks -- from the state Department of Transportation.

Corona del Mar residents and business leaders in support of the plan

wrote to the City Council requesting they look into the matter. City

staff is researching the proposal. If it is found to be viable, it will

be presented to the council in January.

Caltrans spokeswoman Deborah Harris said there are several steps in the

process, including a commitment by the city to assume maintenance of the

road. The proposal would then require approval from Sacramento before

coming back to Newport Beach officials.

But with the support of residents and city leaders, including Mayor

Dennis O’Neil, the group remains optimistic.

“The plan they have will make Corona del Mar more area-friendly,” said

O’Neil, who represents the community on the council. “It will add to the

charm and aesthetics of the old Corona del Mar area. I will do whatever I

can to make it happen.”

BEAUTY IN BUSINESS

What do you think of the Corona del Mar Business District’s plans to

beautify the area? Call our Readers Hotline at (949) 642-6086 or e-mail

your comments to o7 [email protected] f7 . Please spell your name

and tell us your hometown and phone number (for verification purposes

only).