On Tuesday August 16, Costa Mesa Transportation Services Manager Raja Sethuraman fielded questions from members of the public during a discussion about a planned median project on Harbor Boulevard between Wilson and 19th Streets.

The event at the Neighborhood Community Center was attended by about 30 people, and included some business owners along that stretch of Harbor Boulevard. Community members expressed concern regarding the proposed improvements and offered several comments.

Sethuraman addressed community’s concerns during the meeting and offered to collect more information to refine the plan over the next few months. While some in the audience had expressed concerns, many of the larger business owners contacted during outreach efforts were generally supportive of the project.

The $1 million worth of improvements, half of which will be paid for by grants, will add a center median with drought tolerant landscape. Sethuraman pointed out to the crowd that in addition to its aesthetic value, the median should help control traffic and reduce accidents on the stretch of road that has seen more than 80 collisions during a five-year period. The city will present the revised plan to the community and Parks and Recreation Commission in the coming months.