Building Ventura’s Future: 2008-2013 Proposed Capital Improvement Project Plan
- 2008-2013 Proposed CIP Plan (pdf - 40MB)
On-line Overview of the Proposed Capital Improvement Project Plan:
- Transmittal Letter
- Our Natural Community
- Our Prosperous Community
- Our Accessible Community
- Our Sustainable Infrastructure
- Our Active Community
- Our Healthy & Safe Community
- Our Creative Community
Building Ventura's Future
January 28, 2008
Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
City of Ventura
Building Ventura's Future
2008-2013 Proposed Capital Improvement Project Plan
Ventura has embraced a long-term vision for a sustainable future.
This Capital Improvement Project Plan (CIP) is the blueprint for investing in the vital infrastructure needed to protect and achieve that future vision. The City's infrastructure includes all city-owned assets and facilities, including streets, parks, beaches, open spaces, storm drains, water and wastewater installations. The CIP embraces the 10 Visionary Strategic Goals of the 2005 General Plan to protect our Natural Community, support our Prosperous Community, integrate with our Well Planned and Designed Community, facilitate our Accessible Community and maintain Our Sustainable Infrastructure. This advances outcomes that matter most to the City and its residents: Improving the Quality of Life, Enhancing Sustainability by protecting our natural resources and maintaining our water, wastewater and drainage infrastructure, Creating Livable Communities for our families and our neighborhoods, and Strengthening our Economic Prosperity.
These outcomes are all part of the dream of Building Ventura's Future.
Achieving our Vision & Dream for the Future
The vision for Ventura's future was born out of the active involvement of thousands of Ventura citizens through the Seize the Future effort. Ten Strategic Visions became the basis for the 2005 General Plan and its preamble: "We the people of Ventura, in order to ensure that our City remains a great place for us to live…"
Making these goals a reality requires the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars to repair, replace and transform the capital assets of an older community. The capital projects in the Proposed 2008-2013 CIP Plan include a total of 194 projects with 176 continuing and 18 newly proposed projects with a price of $431 million ($147 million or 34 percent of the projects are funded and $284 million or 66 percent have no funding yet identified).
These projects build on the progress we have been making in updating our aging infrastructure. Over eighty-eight (88) projects totaling $234 million have been activated and are either complete, or are in design and construction. One notable achievement last year was the dedication of the $31 million dollar upgrade of our Avenue Water Treatment Plant.
As an older full-service city, Ventura has long struggled to adequately fund infrastructure investment. When the economy is strong, we have more resources available, so the slowing of the local and national economy makes our job tougher. It requires us to be far more focused, diligent and tenacious about how we fund the major investments needed to achieve our vision. The City is working on a long-term and realistic infrastructure funding strategy. We will actively engage the community to identify what is important to our residents, creatively leverage available funds and assets to obtain grants and other matching resources, as well as explore asset sales, debt financing and new revenue-generation options. Tough economic times are no excuse for neglecting our future – in fact they are a reminder of the sacrifices made in the past to invest in today's quality of life and standard of living.
Focusing on What Matters Most
Most capital projects originate from detailed master plans or major planning studies. Last year, the City embarked on major efforts in six key areas: the Green Initiative, Parks Vision, Pavement Plan, Mobility Plan, Water Master Plan and WastewaterMaster Plan. We completed the Green Initiative Inventory, which is our first step in becoming a national model for environmental sustainability. In addition, we completed the updates on the Pavement Plan and are in the process of completing the Water and Wastewater Master Plans. The Cemetery Park, Westpark and Grant Park Master Plans are also in progress and will become major components of our Parks Vision for the future. Projects identified by these major initiatives will be included in future capital plans.
"We build Ventura's future every year, by designing, constructing and completing capital projects and major maintenance projects."
Building Ventura's Future
This year we have added a section titled Building Ventura's Future that defines the overall roadmap for Ventura for achieving our strategic visions by protecting our open space, natural environment and ecosystems; by providing transportation choices and maintaning our streets; sustaining our water, wastewater and drainage infrastructure; and by incorporating public art into our capital projects. Best practices and cutting-edge technology are integrated into our capital projects to protect Ventura's environment by using renewable resources and implementing green practices.
The components of Building Ventura's Future include:
- Visionary Strategic Goals that apply to the CIP Plan: Our Natural Community, Our Prosperous Community, Our Accessible Community, Our Sustainable Infrastructure, Our Active Community, Our Healthy and Safe Community and Our Creative Community.
Each Visionary Strategic Goal Section outlines three areas:
- Accomplishments – Capital projects completed this past year.
- Current Plan of Action – A summary of the City's Work Plan projects that are currently being worked on or will be in design and/or construction within the first two years of the CIP Plan.
- Dream for the Future – A summary of the City's Pending and Potential Projects. Pending Projects are those projects that we plan to activate in years 3, 4, and 5 of the CIP Plan, and Potential Projects are those that are beyond the five-year period of the CIP Plan.
- Appendix A – CIP Project Details
- This section provides detailed project sheets organized by Drainage, Facilities, Parks & Recreation, Public Art, Streets and Streetscapes, Wastewater, and Water.
- Appendix B – CIP Supplements
- This section consists of Financial Summaries, Glossary, and Indices.
Ventura is a unique coastal community that is proud of its heritage and determined to be a national model in our efforts to protect our coastline and hillsides, beautify our parks, sustain our infrastructure and weave creative expression into everyday life. It will take major investment in our infrastructure to achieve those goals. The CIP is our planning tool. Funding, designing and building these improvements will be the real test of our commitment – and the key to our success.
Acknowledgements
It is with great appreciation for the hard work of our staff that this Proposed CIP Plan is now transmitted to the City Council for review and consideration for adoption.
Rick Cole, City Manager
Our Natural Community
"Our goal is to be a model for other communities of environmental responsibility, living in balance with our natural setting of coastline, rivers, and hillside ecosystems."
Accomplishments
The City continues to invest in the restoration, protection and safety of our natural environment. A healthier ocean is the result of a newly completed storm drain diversion project at two locations along the City's beach promenade. Dry weather urban run-off is now cleaned of pollutants in the sanitary sewer system instead of discharging directly to the ocean. Also, all development projects within Ventura city limits must meet standards, such as storm water treatment and recycling, to protect the environment.
The Promenade beach walkway provides access to Ventura's beautiful scenic coastline. Over time, the ocean environment causes structural degradation in the stairs, seawalls and walkways. Emergency repairs on the Promenade were completed on two seating balconies. Donor benches near Paseo de Playa Street were also relocated to provide a scenic rest area for visitors. Also, new more efficient commercial trash enclosures are constructed downtown to keep trash off the streets and out of the storm drains.
Current Plan of Action
The City of Ventura encompasses a wide variety of natural settings, which include seven miles of sandy beaches, the Santa Clara and Ventura rivers, barrancas, wetlands, hillsides and open space. Preserving our resources and protecting our natural environment and ecosystems is a key priority for our City and community. All our Capital projects now incorporate a review for “sustainability features” as part of our normal quality control to balance initial and life cycle costs with the reduction of environmental impacts. Current WorkPlan projects include Phase 2 of the Beach Water Quality Improvements, which will divert low flows from the Oak Street and Paseo de Playa storm drains. Another project will design and install trash excluders to prevent litter from entering the Ventura River Estuary. Design efforts are underway to improve Surfers' Point.
The City completed its Green Initiative Inventory of cutting-edge environmental practices and adopted a “Get Your Green On” Action Plan. This will expand efforts to reduce electricity and fuel use, double the number of trees planted, and retrofit City buildings towards qualifying for Green Building certifications.
Dream for the Future
Our dream for the future continues to be the protection of our natural resources while building a sustainable and environmentally sound infrastructure. The City will continue to establish itself as a national model for environmental sustainability. Our goals are to reduce green house emissions and reliance on fossil fuels, expand our green and open spaces, restore our natural environment and watersheds, and protect our rivers, ocean and waterways. Ventura will continue to be an urban leader in Smart Growth and Low Impact Development practices. Environmentally focused projects, which do not yet have funding, include a Green Infrastructure Demonstration project, Energy-Efficiency and Photovoltaic projects, and the Coastal Sanjon Watershed project. To build our dream, we will strive to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs.
Our Prosperous Community
"Our goal is to attract and retain enterprises that provide high-value, high wage jobs; to diversify the local economy; to increase the local tax base; and to anticipate our economic future in order to strengthen our economy and help fund vital public services."
Accomplishments
In order for the City to have a prosperous and vibrant community that attracts tourism and retains business enterprises, the City must continue to maintain and improve our infrastructure. While both accessibility and sustainability projects contribute significantly to the economic vitality of Ventura, several projects specifically focused on advancing the Prosperous Community Goal. The Olivas Golf Course renovation was completed this year. Also, Wayfinding Signs were installed, which help to direct tourists to various points of interest throughout the City.
Current Plan of Action
Providing attractive gateways to the City is important for our economic vitality. The Highway 126 Interchange Landscape project begins construction in Spring 2008. This project will provide landscaping to enhance the visual appearance of the Highway 126 corridor and entrances to the community.
Projects that help build an economic foundation for Ventura will also be worked on this year. The Olivas Park Drive Extension project will enhance access to the auto dealers and new development will increase traffic circulation. The Downtown Sewer Line Replacement project will help accommodate new developments and businesses downtown. The Arroyo Verde Kiosk project will be completed and a new kiosk at Marina Park will be initiated this year. These projects will allow the city to generate additional revenue.
Historical landmarks throughout the City contribute to our economic vitality. The Olivas Adobe is one of the City's most significant historic sites and serves as an irreplaceable cultural tourism resource. The design of the Olivas Adobe Seismic Upgrades and Restoration project will be completed in Fiscal Year 08-09.
The Downtown Parking Structure project will increase the economic base by providing adequate parking for visitors and shoppers downtown.
Dream for the Future
Community prosperity consists of many factors. Well-maintained infrastructure - parks, streets, facilities are obvious – but drainage, water and sewer lines are also equally important as a foundation for economic growth. Our dream for the future is to continue to build a strong infrastructure with inviting public places to attract high-end technology and knowledge based enterprises and to create high wage/high value jobs. Connecting Ventura's downtown with its beautiful coastline will attract more business and increase pedestrian and bicycle accessibility. The California Street/Hwy 101 off ramp will be relocated to Oak Street.
Capital projects like the Downtown Parking Structure, Downtown Restroom, and Oak Street Improvements will help support tourism and business needs to further establish Ventura as a place to live, work and play.
Our Accessible Community
"Our goal is to provide residents with more transportation choices by strengthening and balancing bicycle, pedestrian and transit opportunities in the City and surrounding region."
Accomplishments
The City maintains 650 lane miles of streets and alleys, 136 traffic signals, 2 million square feet of sidewalks, 350 miles of curbs and gutters, 45 miles of bike paths, 15,000 road signs and 35,000 street trees. Our holistic approach to repairing neighborhood streets coordinates sidewalk, median, traffic signal, tree, utility and facility improvements for neighborhood improvement. This past year, fortythree (43) lane miles of streets were repaved. In addition, crosswalk safety beacons were installed on Loma Vista Road at the County Hospital, and 150 new bus benches and over 100 bike racks were installed. Midtown median enhancements have also been completed.
Current Plan of Action
Capital projects for streets and streetscapes provide much needed maintenance and improvements to increase our transportation access and mobility options such as pedestrian and bicycle-friendly corridors. The City began installation of bike racks and bike route signs to promote safe bicycling. Design has also been initiated for crosswalk safety beacons for Warner Street/Ventura Avenue, Telegraph Road/Dunning and Loma Vista Road/Virginia Drive with several more on the way in 2008. Also included in the CIP is the continuation of the City's Pavement Maintenance Plan to upgrade neighborhood, collector and arterial streets. Overall the Plan includes eleven comprehensive neighborhood improvements as well as five slurry/cape seal maintenance projects. Six of the eleven neighborhood improvements and two slurry/cape seal projects are scheduled in the next two years.
Dream for the Future
To improve mobility, the City continues to invest in projects that accommodate pedestrians, bicycles, vehicles, and transit. Our dream for the future includes preparation of a mobility plan that will provide a blueprint for balancing our transportation system. Creating more opportunities to walk, bike, and use public transit are keys to a livable community. Potential capital projects like the Multi Modal Transportation Center will pave the way for expanding alternative modes of travel. This facility would include structured parking, a bike parking/service center, and retail space to serve Amtrak, Metrolink, GCT, VISTA, and Greyhound transit services as well as downtown bicycle commuters. In addition, the City's bicycle master plan efforts will help create a contiguous, easy to use and safe set of bicycle lanes and paths that will make biking a viable alternative to use instead of the automobile.
Our Sustainable Infrastructure
"Our goal is to safeguard public health, well being and prosperity by providing and maintaining facilities that enable the community to live in balance with natural systems."
Accomplishments
Maintaining efficient water supply, wastewater and drainage systems are important to sustaining our vital daily activities and our quality of life. The $31 million Avenue Water Treatment Plant Membrane Filtration Project was completed this year. It provides 10 million gallons per day of advanced surface water treatment for water produced from the Ventura River. The construction of the $12.9 million 430 Water Pressure Zone Reservoir and Pipeline project was completed, which included the installation of 13,000 linear feet of new water transmission pipes. This project also included the construction of 4 million gallons of water storage tanks. Construction was completed for the Downtown Hillside Waterline Project on Aliso Street, and two pressure regulating stations. Construction of the Ramona Street Storm Drain Phase 5 was also completed. The City also repaired an important water transmission line in Foster Park that provides water for the City. An innovative method of “slip-lining” pipe underneath the Ventura R ver helped save millions of dollars in construction costs and eliminated negative environmental impacts.
Current Plan of Action
Ventura provides drinking water to a population of 111,000 residents and approximately 9 million gallons of wastewater is collected and treated every day. The City has about 20 miles of off-street storm drains. Ventura has an aging infrastructure throughout the City where old water, sewer and storm drainpipes require continuous repair unless they are replaced. The Downtown Water and Sewer line replacement projects are planned to be completed in Fiscal Year 2008-2009. These projects will reduce maintenance costs and minimize disruptions to businesses and residents. The Chestnut and Kalorama Street drainage improvements will also reduce flooding in the historic downtown corridor.
The Wastewater Treatment Plant Nutrient Removal project is currently in design and will replace the existing air compressors with more energy efficient units. This project will restore treatment capacity necessary to meet Regional Water Quality Control Board requirements.
Dream for the Future
Future ongoing maintenance projects include sewer line capacity upgrades plus sewer line and water line replacements. Completion of a recent drainage needs assessment created a prioritization of drainage deficiencies. Twenty-two capital projects were identified to improve drainage and reduce flooding potential throughout Ventura. The City's goal is to replace 20 percent of failing metal drainage pipe every year over the next five years. Capital projects have been created to address these needs, but there is not enough funding available to complete repairs. Environmental regulations have added additional expenses and time requirements for permit applications, processing, negotiations, and implementation of mitigation measures.
Our Active Community
"Our goal is to add to and enhance our parks and open spaces to provide enriching recreation options for the entire community."
Accomplishments
The City's park system includes parks, facilities, and historic sites serving various interests in Ventura's diverse community. Our parks serve as host for both active and passive recreation activities ranging from league sports such as softball and soccer to sailing, surfing and golfing. Recent improvements to Camino Real Park include installation of lights for the Little League and girl's softball field, construction of an additional soccer field, an additional ADA-compliant restroom, and a new barbecue and picnic area.
A new five-acre park, Montalvo Hill Park, was also added this year and is located above Montalvo Square shopping center. The park includes picnic tables, a basketball court, restrooms, public art, play fields and great paths for walking, cycling and other fun activities.
Current Plan of Action
The City is committed to ensuring that its citizens have ample access to high quality spaces for leisure and active recreation. Construction is scheduled to be completed in Fiscal Year 08-09 for the Community Park Sports Fields Project. This project includes two soccer fields, a softball field, one multi-use field, and temporary parking and restrooms. The softball fields will include lighting to allow nighttime use. Design efforts for the new Westside Pool are also underway.
Dream for the Future
One of life's most cherished rewards for many people is to spend time outdoors and in recreational activities. The City oversees over 700 acres of developed park facilities, including 45 miles of linear park and trail network and our beautiful beach promenade. As the City strives to improve the quality of leisure and recreational opportunities, it faces a number of challenges such as: modernizing and maintaining existing facilities; finding appropriate land for new facilities; developing public spaces such as plazas and mini-parks in urban settings; meeting the increasing demand for athletic courts, fields and pools; providing facilities for youth, seniors and residents with special needs. Our dream for the future is to continue to develop the Community Park and expand new neighborhood parks, bike and trail networks throughout the City and increase funding for parntenance and infrastructure.
Any vision for the future requires community involvement. A new Parks Vision is being developed and will, in part, utilize findings from master plans currently in progress, which are the Westpark Management Plan, Cemetery Memorial Park Master Plan, and the Grant Park Master Plan. This effort will help synthesize the community's dream for parks in the community.
Our Healthy & Safe Community
"Our goal is to build effective community partnerships that protect and improve the social well-being and security of all our citizens."
Accomplishments
Capital projects that support effective delivery of public safety services as well as those that directly affect resident health and safety are important in helping the City achieve this community goal. Construction was completed for the Fire Station #5 Site Improvements. This project included rebuilding the driveway and parking area to accommodate a new and heavier ladder truck at the station.
The City also recently began installation of several crosswalk enhancements to make walking safer and to reduce pedestrian-vehicle collisions.
In addition, the Avenue Water Treatment Plant was completed this year. This was a $25 million dollar capital project to protect the public and provide high quality drinking water to our residents. This project was necessary in order to meet regulatory and environmental regulations.
Current Plan of Action
Currently underway are design efforts for the Police/Fire Headquarters Emergency Generator Project, which will provide backup power for normal activities and the Emergency Operations Center.
New development in the City generates an additional need for fire protection and emergency response services. Currently, the City is working on adding a new fire station south of Highway 101 near Ventura Harbor. A healthy and safe community includes protection of pedestrian and bicycle paths. The City is preparing a bicycle master plan that will identify bicycle collision trends and develop solutions to reduce these incidents.
Ensuring that all city facilities are seismically safe and sound is also part of the City's goal. Seismic upgrades for the Olivas Adobe are currently underway to ensure that the facility can withstand earthquake related forces.
Dream for the Future
Maintaining a healthy and safe community is key to the quality of life in Ventura. To protect our neighborhoods, we need to continue to invest in maintaining our infrastructure. Various capital projects in years 3, 4 and 5 of the plan include relocation and construction of several fire stations and renovation of the City's Emergency Operations Center to optimize firefighting and emergency response capabilities.
Our Creative Community
"Our goal is to become a vibrant cultural center by weaving the arts and local heritage into everyday life."
Accomplishments
Ventura's Public Art Program was enacted in 1991 to integrate art in the construction of capital projects throughout the City. This year, the City installed sculptures at Buenaventura Golf Course, the Olivas Adobe and Montalvo Hill Park. Construction of art pieces for Pepper Tree Garden has begun. New decorative entry gates were also installed at the Avenue Water Treatment Plant.
Current Plan of Action
The City of San Buenaventura is one of 21 mission cities in California. Together with the Chumash Indians, Missionaries, and early Poblanos, Ventura encompasses a rich blend of history. Integrating public art into the fabric of the built environment is part of a larger strategy to include creativity and history into everyday life and promote high quality urban design.
Upcoming work plan projects include the Mission Park Gateway project, which consists of design and installation of a monumental sculpture in Mission Park. This project will be coordinated with the expansion of the Museum of Ventura County and with the Figueroa Plaza Enhancements project. Other public art projects that are scheduled to be completed within one to two years are the California Street Bridge and City Hall Art Gallery Improvements, and Cemetery Memorial Project.
Dream for the Future
Ensuring public art is visible and accessible to the community will further our goal of becoming a vibrant cultural center by weaving the arts and local heritage into everyday life. Projects such as a new Cultural Arts Center are being discussed and Plaza Park and the Harriott Henson Gazebo may become a future focus for performance venues.
Incorporating public art into the built environment enhances our active experiences, ensures accessibility to cultural venues, and increases community cultural understanding. The importance of public art is relevant to the qualityof life in Ventura. Our dream for the future is to continue to promote and support the work of local and nationally recognized artists and to reflect the diverse nature of Ventura's history and cultural richness.