The OC Fair Board of Directors voted 9-0 at the October meeting to begin the process to enter into a partnership with the city of Costa Mesa to construct a new vegetated bio-swale and multi-purpose bike and pedestrian trail along the southerly portion of Arlington Drive.

The board was given a presentation by Public Services Director Ernesto Munoz, who outlined how the city’s Engineering Division will work together with Kabbara Engineering and the OC Fair & Event Center to complete the project, which will require the removal of approximately 70,000 square feet of asphalt concrete on Arlington Drive.

The $3.2 million project will serve to beautify Arlington Drive and provide a biological filtration system for water runoff to the Upper Newport Bay.
To pay for the project, the City of Costa Mesa received a grant for $1.69 million and the OC Fair & Event Center will provide an additional $1 million. In addition, the Costa Mesa City Council allocated $510,000 for the work.

“This project will result in significant benefits to the OC Fair & Event Center and the overall community by installing much needed amenities along this unimproved section of Arlington Drive,” Munoz said. “It is exciting to take part in this partnership between the City and the OC Fair & Event Center to achieve common environmental as well as aesthetic goals.”

The collaboration between the City, the OC Fair & Event Center, and Kabbara Engineering will now continue in the development of construction documents.
Presentations of the upcoming improvements will be made to various stakeholders, including the Newport Mesa Unified School District as well as the Mesa Del Mar Community in early 2016.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the fall of 2016.