VENTURA : Extension Plans Proceed for Olivas Park Drive

The Ventura City Council is moving ahead with plans to extend Olivas Park Drive through to Johnson Drive, even though analysts have not yet figured out how to pay for the $25-million improvement.

The council will consider today whether to name the Orange County firm of Fluor Daniel as construction manager for the project, which would pave the way for an expanded Ventura Auto Center.

Fluor Daniel is the top choice of 10 companies considered by city staff for the job.

Plans call for crews to extend Olivas Park Drive to Johnson Drive, as well as to build a levee along the north side of the Santa Clara River and improve the south bank levee.

Community Services Director Everett Millais said that although the city has not decided how best to fund the project, preliminary work should continue.

Planners first proposed that an assessment district be formed among area property owners to generate the funds.

But recent plans for a baseball stadium and sports complex called Centerplex, proposed by developer John Hofer, suggest that tax-sharing and other arrangements be made for the traffic improvements, Millais said.

“Now [Hofer] does not want an assessment district, and he’s key,” Millais said.

Nonetheless, Millais said, planning for the extension should move forward.

“We need to do that no matter what happens,” he said.

The project manager would oversee plans and development of the extension. Fluor Daniel would be paid no more than $197,000 for the service.