City Grants to Aid Old Town Project

Old Town property owners and merchants will soon be able to apply for city-issued grants for building renovations as part of the city’s efforts to revamp its aging Ventura Boulevard area.

The Camarillo Community Development Commission on Wednesday night unanimously approved design guidelines for renovating the historic area.

The plan had already been presented to the merchants at the end of July and was recently approved by the Citizens Advisory Committee.

The city has set aside about $400,000 to help pay for building facade improvements and will provide funds under a 50% match at a maximum of $12,000.

Applications for the grants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis. When funds run out, the project will have to be put on hold until more money is available, said Tony Boden, the city’s planning director.

In addition to the facade renovation, the Mainstreet Architects & Planners’ design calls for wider decorative sidewalks, a plaza and other gathering places as well as such features as period street lights, wrought-iron benches, ornamental clocks and sculptures.

“With the facade program, we hope to see improvements right away,” Boden said.

“Long term, we will see more activity. It will be a far more interesting place than it is today.”

The $5-million to $7-million project is not likely to get underway for several years, however. The city would need to sell bonds and then use the incremental money generated through the Redevelopment Agency to retire the bonds.