Shops, Restaurants Suggested for Old City Buildings

Consultants have recommended new uses for several historic civic buildings--including conversion of the former City Hall into both shops and apartments--to revitalize the Old Town area.

In addition to luring more specialty stores and cafes to the area, which extends along Ventura Boulevard from Lewis Road to Carmen Drive, the city should consider new uses for the former fire station, library and Ventura County courthouse, consultants say. These buildings are either vacant or only temporarily in use.

The Camarillo City Council will review Economics Research Associates’ economic analysis of Ventura Boulevard tonight and decide whether to devise a plan for carrying out the suggestions and seek businesses and organizations to renovate the city-owned former fire station and City Hall.

“We’re looking at trying to establish something that will be the best possible use for the boulevard and contribute the greatest amount of balance,” said Tony Boden, planning director.

The economic analysis recommends that Fire Station 54 be used for shops or restaurants or as a museum.

The Pleasant Valley Historical Society has been interested in purchasing the fire station since the Fire Department moved to a new facility north of the freeway about three years ago, said Stephen Brewster, society chairman.

“We’re very much interested in purchasing it, but it’s all in the hands of the city,” Brewster said, adding that city officials have indicated they could make more money if they were to sell it for commercial use.

City officials have instead offered the society the former library--a building that society members say is too small and lacks sufficient parking for their needs.

The consultants’ suggested uses for the former library are for either a historical museum or a conference center with community meeting space.

The county-owned former courthouse could be used for private offices or retail space. And suggestions for the city-owned former City Hall include a mixed-use development, with housing over commercial space.

The consultants estimate revitalization of Old Town would generate about $23 million in gross retail sales or about $225,000 in sales tax revenue for the city.

Although plans for Old Town may be nearly finalized, the $5-million to $7-million project is not likely to get underway for several years, officials said.