SEAL BEACH : City’s Big Project in ‘92: Restroom Rehab

Anyone doubting how austere the city’s bare-bones budget is, consider this: The city’s largest building project for fiscal 1992-93 will be the renovation of two public restrooms at Marina Park.

The City Council last week instructed the staff to collect bids for the project, which is not likely to exceed $90,000. Once the bids are submitted, the council will choose a contractor, usually the one with the lowest bid, said Lee Whittenberg, director of development services.

The restroom renovations might be considered minor in more prosperous years, but 1992 has been anything but for recession-ravaged Seal Beach, whose council reduced city personnel and cut services to balance the $15.1-million budget.

The project was made possible through state and county grants totaling $90,000. Officials hope the two grants will cover all costs, Whittenberg said.

The restrooms are inside a community center at Marina Park. When renovations are completed, they will be accessible to disabled people and include new plumbing fixtures. Construction probably won’t begin until next year.

No other significant building projects are planned. However, city officials said they will use state and county grants to help pay for resurfacing along Seal Beach Boulevard.