City to Weigh Balboa Revitalization Plan

After months of discussion, the City Council is expected to take action on a plan to finance revitalization of the Balboa Peninsula at its Monday meeting.

The first step toward making the peninsula a prettier and more prosperous place is approving the plan to pay for it. So far, city officials have come up with a way to pay for more than 70% of the $8.3 million it will cost to implement the six-year plan.

Among the ideas to beautify the 3-mile stretch of sand that separates Newport Harbor from the Pacific Ocean are:

* Creating additional parking near business districts.

* Adding a monument or fountain at the intersection of Newport and Balboa boulevards to make it more attractive.

* Creating moorings for visiting yachts.

* Landscaping the main streets with plants and trees and burying unsightly power lines.

Murphy said the city’s financing plan does not require any cuts in service to the community.

Newport Beach plans to devote $1.8 million of its community development block grant funds to pay for the plan.

Officials also have proposed using $3.2 million from a pair of city funds that were established to improve parking and clean up neighborhoods.

In addition to approving the city’s financing plan, the council will be asked to schedule neighborhood meetings on the proposed improvements.

Many Balboa residents have opposed the plan since the council approved it in February.

The council meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 3300 Newport Blvd. Information: (714) 644-3017.