Huntington Beach Ca Public Facilities

Construction snags have delayed the opening of the city's long-awaited Art Center. Renovation of the 11,500-square-foot brick building at 538 Main St. was halted when it was discovered that the structure could not accommodate the high windows that were going to be installed without modifications costing $440,000. "We mutually agreed to terminate the contract with the contractor because the costs were too high to finish 20% of the project," said Michael Mudd, cultural services manager.

For the first time in its 35-year history, Bolsa Chica State Beach will be getting a major face-lift to improve its aging facilities. The two-mile stretch of beach, which attracts 1 million to 1.5 million visitors annually, could receive $7.5 million worth of improvements to existing restrooms, concession stands, storage facilities and lifeguard headquarters, according to state parks superintendent Don Ito.

The City Council voted unanimously Monday night to use $175,230 in federal-state block-grant funds to build a library branch in the Oakview neighborhood, an area in which many Latino families live. Ron Hayden, the city's director of library services, said the 2,000-square-foot modular library branch will be built near Oak View School. The branch is scheduled to open Jan. 1, he said. Oakview is a neighborhood roughly bounded by Beach Boulevard, Gothard Street and Slater and Warner avenues.

A replacement for the just-closed Driftwood Golf Course tops the list of what residents want to see at Bartlett Park, city officials said. A city-sponsored poll conducted in October shows that more than 400 residents agree with the city's plan to build a nine-hole, three-par course, along with a senior multipurpose center and a neighborhood park on the 30-acre site between Adams and Yorktown avenues. Staff estimates the park will be completed by February 2004 and cost about $15 million.

The Jan. 3, 1984, murder ranks as one of Orange County's more heinous crimes. Letter carrier Ida Jean Haxton, a 30-year-old mother of two, was nearing the end of her postal route in southeast Huntington Beach when she was ambushed by a lone man. He beat her with a baseball bat, stabbed her 19 times with a hunting knife and left her body in a church parking lot more than a mile away.

A replacement for the just-closed Driftwood Golf Course tops the list of what residents want to see at Bartlett Park, city officials said. A city-sponsored poll conducted in October shows that more than 400 residents agree with the city's plan to build a nine-hole, three-par course, along with a senior multipurpose center and a neighborhood park on the 30-acre site between Adams and Yorktown avenues. Staff estimates the park will be completed by February 2004 and cost about $15 million.

City officials said they will try to give residents a three-dimensional view of building projects before presenting them to municipal agencies for approval. Councilman Dave Garofalo suggested last week that models of projects submitted by builders and developers be displayed publicly, giving residents a better feel for a plan before it goes before the Planning Commission or City Council. "The more exposure we give these things, the more intelligent the debate," Garofalo said.

Day laborers will be able to use a job center this fall, after residents complained about large groups of day laborers congregating at various places in the city. The City Council voted 5 to 1 to sign a $600 annual lease with the county to establish the job center at the old transfer station at 18131 Gothard St., near Talbert Avenue. Councilman Dave Sullivan voted against the project.

After a three-hour hearing with dozens of speakers, the City Council this week approved a proposal to leave most of the Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park in its natural state but to build two play areas for children. The proposal developed jointly by the city and county will keep about 100 acres of the 106-acre park--a long and narrow bluff at the edge of the Bolsa Chica wetlands--as a natural area with native vegetation.

Though voters last week rejected a proposal for a citywide tax to pay for beach and park improvements, one City Council member is not giving up the quest to acquire and develop sites for youth sports. Councilman Dave Garofalo this week proposed building a youth sports complex, Olympic-size swimming pool and senior center at Huntington Central Park. Under his proposal, a bond would be issued to pay for construction, and the city would then lease the facilities to community-based organizations.

City officials said they will try to give residents a three-dimensional view of building projects before presenting them to municipal agencies for approval. Councilman Dave Garofalo suggested last week that models of projects submitted by builders and developers be displayed publicly, giving residents a better feel for a plan before it goes before the Planning Commission or City Council. "The more exposure we give these things, the more intelligent the debate," Garofalo said.

Day laborers will be able to use a job center this fall, after residents complained about large groups of day laborers congregating at various places in the city. The City Council voted 5 to 1 to sign a $600 annual lease with the county to establish the job center at the old transfer station at 18131 Gothard St., near Talbert Avenue. Councilman Dave Sullivan voted against the project.

Residents and visitors would find less trash but more advertisements on the beach if City Council members agree to a sponsorship deal being discussed Monday. Under the plan, the Adopt A Highway Maintenance Corp. would give the city 5,000 trash bins, valued at more than $100,000, and nearly $133,000 in cash over a 10-year period. In return, the corporation would be able to sell advertising for the bins.

For a slice of the future for many California cities, look to this beach city and listen above the clacking of the skateboards to a shirtless, whippet-thin high school senior with nipple rings and a puka shell necklace: "Big air! They're all going for big air, big grind, big slash," said Jesse Brunell, watching a young man in drooping camouflage pants execute a midair pirouette. "It's a way of life for just about everyone here. We're into what I call expressive adrenaline."

The City Council approved a plan this week for possible future uses of the undeveloped areas of Huntington Central Park, including a batting cage, urban forest, trails, parking lots, a swim complex, a bandstand and more. The plan is a preliminary step to making improvements to the 370-acre park along Goldenwest Street. An environmental impact report will precede any development. In some areas, development is not imminent.

The first phase of a $2-million restoration of the historic City Gym and Pool has been completed. The project included renovating the men's and women's showers, women's restroom, game room and office; and upgrading the 1931 facility to accommodate disabled people. Federal and state grants paid for the $600,000 first phase of the restoration.

Lauren Mikols and her friends in the Estates at Seacliff development would like a park nearby, with a grassy athletic field, a basketball court and a playground with swings. "Now, kids play in the street," said Lauren, 14. "We really need a park because we don't have a place to play."

Huntington Beach can no longer afford to paint the town. Because of budget cutbacks, "we don't have the staffing to do what we've done in the past," said Don Noble, city maintenance operations manager. The number of city painters was reduced to four last year from seven, with one of the remaining employees spending most of his time removing graffiti.

Huntington Beach can no longer afford to paint the town. Because of budget cutbacks, "we don't have the staffing to do what we've done in the past," said Don Noble, city maintenance operations manager. The number of city painters was reduced to four last year from seven, with one of the remaining employees spending most of his time removing graffiti.

Nearly $1.3 million in federal grant money has been earmarked for such projects as making four libraries handicap accessible and renovating the City Gym and Pool recreation facility. The City Council allocated the funds Monday, including $275,000 for the gym and pool project. That facility, built in 1931 and home to Huntington Beach's only indoor gym and pool, is undergoing a $2-million renovation.