Residents will be seeing a lot of changes in the heart of Coronado as the downtown beautification project becomes a priority – a plan City Council members are heavily pushing.
Council members are fed up with the lack of progress on the Orange Avenue improvement project, an assignment that’s been in the works since the turn of the century.
Council member Carrie Anne Downey, in particular, said that she was disgusted by how long it’s taken, noting that she campaigned on this very venture 12 years ago. “I’m still in shock that we’re not even going to get Phase 1 done until 2027,” Downey said.
There are two phases for this project, associate architect Ruby Carr explained at the April 21 meeting. Phase 1 includes street furnishings such as the removal of dying trees, replacement of public benches and installation of new trash and recycling bins.
Staff predicted that construction for this phase should take around three months with a May 2027 end date.
Phase 2 involves an “intensive rehabilitation” of Orange Avenue’s 800 block. It includes new irrigation and gutters along with replacement of sidewalks, curbs and the terrazzo (a flooring material) at the Village Theater.
Construction for this phase should start in the first few months of 2028 and last about half a year.
City staff requested an additional $460,000 for the design of Phase 2 and almost $200,000 for road maintenance and rehabilitation.
This is a very aggressive schedule.Associate architect Ruby Carr
“This is a very aggressive schedule,” Carr said, acknowledging the project’s history.
Purvis said that since the last time Orange Avenue upgrades came to the council, two years ago, there has been some progress, but tight staffing and other projects created delays.
However, all council members agreed that this project should take priority.
Carr noted that so far for Phase 1, staff has completed a conceptual design and selected fixtures and furnishings, as well as a preliminary Caltrans review.
Downey questioned what progress had been made and said she wanted frequent updates while work is underway and when things have actually been accomplished.
I don’t know how much firmer our direction could possibly be. We’re approving an additional $458,000 to do something I would have thought we had already done.
Council member Carrie Anne Downey
“I don’t know how much firmer our direction could possibly be,” Downey said. “We’re approving an additional $458,000 to do something I would have thought we had already done.”
Council members voted unanimously to move forward with city staff’s plan.
