CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

City Economist

January 29th, 2010

Instead of upscaling retail, Corona del Mar needs to downsize retailing to widen East Coast Highway. The village is encumbering a California state coastal throughway. The city has to yield to the increased motorists and emerging bicycling. We’re all watching if Newport Beach will be the first city to be bankrupted by bicycle injury claims. The fault lies with overly frugal city planners and unconcerned traffic engineers.

Damien

January 29th, 2010

I've always heard the same thing and now having lived here for a year, it's always parking parking parking. You wonder what types of shops the residents alone can sustain. I'd be all for it - I wish some of the restaurants also had rooftops bars and that they would approve the sidewalk expansion to accommodate "beer garden" patios - I mean seriously, we are one of the best beach cities - let's make it thrive. And get two or three parking structures approved - underground.

Laura

January 29th, 2010

i agree with damien. underground parking would be excellent (ie below starbucks) and i'd prefer to see some more local/independent shops if possible. balboa seems to be able to sustain those. i wish zinc were open evenings - maybe if there were more rooftop or sidewalk activitiy (or patio - like at port)...existing businesses would expand...and maybe some at different price points. cdm residents are a diverse bunch.

Jamie

January 29th, 2010

First, there is really no place to build an underground parking garage. They tried at Banderas years ago during the clock park construction. Too expensive. (Though a new city hall apparently isn't...) I agree the some shops could be upscaled. However CDM into Belmont Shore is not in the interests of the residents. There are conflicting needs. Bringing in more customers to businesses hurts property values of residents. But so does empty storefronts. The "Rodeo Drive" discussion occurred 15 years ago. However, for anyone who has actually "been" to Rodeo Drive lately, it's really nothing but an outdoor shopping mall for the Louis Vitton crowd. It's not very nice. CDM is far nicer IMHO. And sadly as others have said, the residents don't patronize many of the shops. Locals use the restrauants, but I've never bought an oriental carpet or over priced antique or an electric golf cart and have no plans to in the forseeable future. Finally, I think maybe rents are too high for many businesses to make a profit. There is so much turnover here, even in the good times. Thanks for listening.