PCH May See Beautification in the Future

The Hermosa Beach City Council approved the formation of a committee earlier this week to look into the refurbishment and beautification of Pacific Coast Highway. Councilman Howard Fishman, who will lead the committee, and councilman Jeff Duclos, volunteered to help guide the project, along with several eager community members.

"The way we prioritize our strategic planning, PCH is right at the top," Fishman said. "I'm prepared to get in there and work with the business and residents. I agree that this is something we need to look at, sooner rather than later."

The matter was reiterated to the council on March 9 by Roger Bacon, a long-time resident and owner of the Ralph's shopping center on PCH and Aviation Boulevard. Bacon previously brought up the matter at the Feb. 23 council meeting, but received no decision from the council at that time.

"I first came in to town in 1936 and since that time, nothing has really been done," Bacon said during a public comment portion of the meeting. "I want to see something done on Pacific Coast Highway, it's disgraceful."

The matter was brought up during the approval to form a committee for a business license tax, suggested by councilman Kit Bobko.

"Everyone is in agreement that time is long over due," said councilman Duclos, regarding the fixing up of PCH. "We know that it's an economic engine for our community, most of our tax revenue comes from there. Although it's long range planning, I agree that it's something we need to start tonight."

One aspect of the plan that might make a refurbishment of the area take longer is the need to work with CalTrans on the matter, which owns various parts of the street.

"PCH is our number one goal," said Mayor Pro Tem Peter Tucker. "You know and I know that CalTrans owns that. We're going to have to figure out who owns what up there. It's going to be a process and it's not going to happen over night. I think it's a good starting point and it does need to be fixed."

In the past, the city has succeeded in the passing of other area restoration efforts, mainly approval and funding to renovate upper Pier Avenue. That restoration, which will turn the area into a village center that will possess new lighting, signs, benches, colorful landscaping, pedestrian-friendly street crossings and wider sidewalks, is currently underway.