Park plan takes step ahead

Paul Clinton

WEST NEWPORT -- A state bill that would pave the way for a park at the

corner of Superior Avenue and West Coast Highway took another step

forward Tuesday when it unanimously passed a committee in the state

Assembly.

The legislation, known as Senate Bill 124, was approved by members of

the Business and Professions Committee on Tuesday morning. It is now

headed to the Appropriations Committee, either next week or in August. If

it passes there, it would face a vote on the Assembly floor.

Introduced by State Sen. Ross Johnson (R-Irvine) in January, the bill

would transfer the 15 acres of weed-infested land known as Sunset Ridge

Park from the California Department of Transportation to California State

Parks. Newport Beach would then pay Caltrans $1.35 million, and the city

has said it would earmark another $5 million to develop the park.

“I want to emphasize there would be no cost to the state [for the

transfer],” Johnson said during the hearing. “I ask for an ‘aye’ vote.”

Caltrans is opposing the bill because it would ensure, if it passes,

that Caltrans doesn’t get a market rate for the land. Newport Beach has

appraised the land for $4.1 million.

So far, the bill hasn’t had any opposition among legislators. It

passed the Senate floor 39-0 on June 5.

Caltrans bought the land for $1.3 million in 1966, with plans to build

a state freeway parallel to Coast Highway. Unable to muster support for

the roadway, especially after Newport Beach residents voted against it in

a 1973 initiative, Caltrans let the land lay vacant.

City officials have come up with a conceptual plan for the land that

would include ball fields.

Residents have fought for a park at the location for more than 20

years. It got its name because sheriff’s deputies used to park their

patrol cars on the ridge to admire the breathtaking view at dusk.