Briefly in the news

With the restoration of Huntington Beach’s historic gym and pool more

costly than initially estimated, the City Council approved an additional

$328,050 this month, bringing the total cost to about $2.5 million.

While renovating the recreational facility at the intersection of 16th

Street and Palm Avenue, workers found extensive areas of dry rot and

deterioration in the wooden building, according to March 20 memo.

The building had been considered to be in overall good condition, the

memo states.

Up to this point, the work has been funded by a federal loan of about

$2.2 million, but the extra money allocated will come out of the city

budget, the memo states.

The council unanimously approved the added expense at its March 20

meeting.

Gables residents get tiny reprieve

Huntington Harbour residents facing a 389% raise in their land lease

won’t have to pay the new amount for a little while at least, a

homeowners association official said.

The 80 condominium owners at The Gables gated community just off Edinger

Avenue and Bolsa Chica Street reached an agreement with the lease company

to accept the old rate for the time being, said Mike Wolfe, the

homeowners association vice president. Residents were supposed to begin

paying the higher amount Monday.

It is not clear how long the respite will last, he said.

Representatives of the lease company, Irvine-based BS Investors, were not

available for comment.

Unlike typical condominium owners, those at The Gables must cover the

cost of the ground lease in addition to mortgage payments and homeowners

association dues. A letter sent last month by the lease company informed

the homeowners that the time had come for a rate hike based on a new land

appraisal.

Residents hired attorneys to challenge the proposed increase.

Negotiations with the company continue, Wolfe said.

City working on infrastructure projects

Huntington Beach is spending more than $10 million on projects throughout

the community that are aimed at improving public services.

By next month, work crews are scheduled to complete the new $200,000

Tower Zero at the pier. Nearby public restrooms costing $228,000 are

expected to be finished at about the same time, in addition to $558,000

in street repairs along Warner and Adams avenues; Newland, Magnolia and

Brookhurst streets; and Meredith Drive.

Repairs of sewers in the area bounded by Goldenwest Street, Palm Avenue,

Lake Street and Pacific Coast Highway should be finished by May at a cost

of $1.8 million.

In June, the city plans to unveil a new $3.5-million fire station on

Edwards Hill. The city’s $2.6-million renovation of its historic gym and

pool at the corner of Palm Avenue and 17th Street should be ready by

September.

Work crews finished landscaping at the intersection of Heil and Saybrook

avenues this month.

Nominations sought for parade marshal

Nominations for Community Grand Marshal of the Huntington Beach Fourth of

July Parade are being accepted through April 7.

The marshal for “Parade 2000, Celebrating the Century” will be honored

with a ride down the parade route in recognition of his or her

contributions to the community, said Patricia Stier, chairwoman of the

Fourth of July Executive Board.

To be eligible, the nominee must live in the city and have voluntarily

performed an extraordinary act or service in this community. Nominees can

be individuals or organizations.

Nominations must be submitted on an official form to the Fourth of July

Executive Board, Community Services Department, 2000 Main St., Huntington

Beach 92648.

For more information or a nomination form, call 536-5486.