Council puts historic arches on hold

Plans to reconstruct a pair of historic arches at Main Street and Pacific Coast Highway were put on hold this week after City Council members saw the price tag.

At a study session Monday, council members said they generally supported the idea of a nod to history in honor of the city’s centennial in 2009, but balked at spending up to $250,000 for a single arch or $500,000 for double arches. The city would likely have trouble getting much financial support from private sponsors who were already donating to other centennial efforts, said Economic Development Director Stanley Smalewitz.

— Michael Alexander