Downtown Planners Visit 4 Similar Cities
Developers of a plan to revitalize downtown Ventura got ideas for the project by visiting four cities of comparable size and concerns--Huntington Beach, Monterey, Santa Cruz and Pasadena.
Except for Pasadena, they are coastal communities like Ventura, said Patrick Richardson, project manager of Ventura’s Downtown Specific Plan. “Like Ventura, these are older downtowns primarily in coastal communities, “and participants were able to literally see and touch the redevelopment principles they were studying.â€
“It was less scary to come home and put these ideas into action having seen how they work in other communities,†he said.
Among other features, the project is aimed at improving the downtown area’s ocean views, store visibility and parking. It’s also designed to create a “pedestrian-friendly atmosphere.â€
The refurbishing, centered on Main and California streets, is scheduled to be completed by mid-July.
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