Approval Expected on Old Town Projects

Making sure that plans to revitalize Old Town become a reality, Camarillo officials Wednesday are expected to approve projects that would begin to identify Ventura Boulevard as a unique portion of town.

“We need to begin treating the boulevard as a separate entity within the city by giving it separate recognition and identification,� said Tony Boden, the city’s planning director.

Boden has suggested that the city place signs at offramps on both the north and south side of the Ventura Freeway to provide directions to Old Town. He said another idea would be to schedule special events for the area.

“If you’re going to have a unique area, you have to have something going on in that area to make it unique,� Boden said. “One thing that has been successful over the years has been the farmers’ market. There’s talk about expanding the farmers’ market to other types of activities.�

These other activities could include music, arts and crafts or other street-fair-like events.

Boden said other immediate plans should be for the city to hire a redevelopment coordinator, develop a new commercial zone that would allow flexibility in design and parking and work with the Old Town Merchants Assn. to develop a promotional program for the holidays.

The city is also planning to send out letters after Jan. 1 to various developers and property owners, soliciting proposals for redevelopment of the old fire station and former city hall on Ventura Boulevard.

Consultants have recommended that these historic buildings be converted to specialty stores, cafes and apartments.

During the next two years, the city plans to pour about $4 million into infrastructure improvements, as well as a marketing and business loan program.