Town Center Parking Lots Getting 42 Lampposts

As a first step in illuminating the downtown for residents, work has begun this week on the installation of 42 lampposts in the parking lots along El Camino Real.

The 14-foot, lantern-styled lampposts will illuminate the Mission Texaco, Mitchell and Love House parking lots, located in the Historic Town Center.

Crews are digging foundations for the lighting fixtures and will continue work for the next two months on the project. The lampposts should be installed by the end of October, said Brian Perry, senior civil engineer.

In the meantime, residents will have adequate parking during the construction. Only one parking lot will be worked on at a time and residents will be notified 72 hours in advance about which areas will be off-limits to parking, Perry said.

City officials hope the $106,000-project will create a safer downtown environment and attract more people to the area in the evening. After the project is completed, city officials will consider installing lights next to the historic Capistrano Depot, officials said.