Harbor Blvd. Project Construction to Start

The beautification efforts along Harbor Boulevard will get a boost next month under a $2.3-million contract that a Downey company has won to improve the city’s resort area.

The City Council hired Sequel Contractors Inc. this week to start construction on infrastructure and visual improvements on a stretch of Harbor from Ball Road to Vermont Avenue.

“This project will make the road safer, easier to use and more attractive,” said Mayor Tom Daly.

Daly added that “this particular project includes a key portion of Harbor Boulevard that needs to be cleaned up and beautified.”

Ralph Harp, city public works principal civil engineer, said that the project will consist of storm drain, sewer and street improvements, as well as landscape and other items, such as decorative canopy-style bus shelters. Construction is expected to be completed in May.

Last June, the council awarded a $5.2-million contract to Griffith Co. in Santa Ana for improvements and beautification work on Harbor south of Katella Avenue to Orangewood Avenue. That project is expected to be completed next August, Harp said.

Harp said additional phases to beautify the resort area are planned and will continue to 2002.

The projects are part of the city’s resort improvement plan, a $174-million program to revitalize and enhance the area around Disneyland.

Under the plan, the city is placing unsightly utility lines underground, encouraging businesses to put up new signs and adding several gateway monuments to define key entries into the resort area.