CLEARLAKE OAKS — Redevelopment is working in Clearlake Oaks, according to the community”s county district supervisor Denise Rushing. With a town center and an adjacent park in the works, area businesses planning facelifts, a youth center under way and a senior housing project moving forward, Rushing said the community is turning itself around.
Nylander Park is nearing completion along Highway 20 at the county”s expense, and with the help of the Lake County Redevelopment Agency (RDA). The RDA is developing a building adjacent to the park as a visitor center and restroom as part of ongoing redevelopment efforts. Construction will begin soon on the Clearlake Oaks Plaza, which is intended to be a town center. The projects are just two of several redevelopment projects on the Northshore, which is the agency”s sole focus.
“This is how redevelopment is supposed to work, with the community, with private investment, and of course with the investment the agency itself makes. They invest money which attracts energy and investment from the community and from private entities, and in the Oaks, it”s working. Private entities are investing, and the community itself is putting time and money into projects, and in effect, turning around the community of Clearlake Oaks. It”s a real delight to see,” Rushing said.
Shannon Ridge Winery bought property next to its tasting room across Highway 20 from the Clearlake Oaks Plaza and added picnic tables, a lawn area, landscaping and a “demonstration vineyard” last year in conjunction with the county”s efforts to develop the park, according to operations manager Adawn Wood.
“I know Clay (Shannon) wanted to make the place more beautiful, and he”s working with the Nylanders across the street to develop the park. There”s a deli next door, so people can grab food and come eat in our picnic area. I eat lunch out there all the time because it”s so nice,” Wood said.
Deputy RDA Director Eric Seely said the new deli and the tasting room”s renovation are examples of how the private sector is investing in the area. Seely said another piece of the puzzle is a community center and youth fellowship hall United Methodist Church is developing in the plaza. He said he advised the church”s building committee in the planning phase. The project broke ground in December.
“Now we”re getting this synergistic effect of the private sector and the church amenities complementing the public spaces we”re developing,” Seely said.
Seely said the RDA will likely break ground on the plaza project this summer. A request for proposals is “within weeks” of being sent to potential bidders to complete the project, according to Seely.
Other projects in the works include relocating approximately eight residences from Clark”s Island to turn the island into open space, and developing low-income senior housing.
Contact Tiffany Revelle at trevelle@record-bee.com.
