Phase 2 Begins: Big Changes Coming

We are now 6 weeks into construction and underground utility work is mainly complete. Although new and upgraded utilities and a new storm drain don't grab headlines, they are key to downtown Isla Vista becoming a focal point for the community.

During the next phase of construction we will begin to see the project really take shape with new sidewalk, street trees, lighting, bike racks and trash and recycling bins.

Construction during this phase will start near Giovanni's Pizza, El Sitio and 6-Pack Shop and move east toward campus. Contractors will spend about 1 month on each block with the project complete in December.

Please continue to visit downtown Isla Vista businesses during construction and show support for all your favorite restaurants.

Keep an eye on construction with the Pardall Webcam at: http://pardall.incipient.net/
The webcam is sponsored by Isla Vista business, Incipient Technologies. Find out more about what they do at: http://www.incipient.net/

60's Era Tiles Saved

Last week construction crews carefully removed handmade tiles made in Isla Vista during the 1960's by Hugh Carroll & John Greybill.

The Redevelopment Agency will be working with the IVRPD Board and community members on how the salvaged tiles can be reused as a public art feature along Pardall or in a public park.

Please visit IV Drip, Freebirds, Dublins, Steak & Hogie House and Pho during construction and show them your support.

View the Pardall Construction Webcam at: http://pardall.incipient.net/

The webcam is sponsored by Isla Vista business Incipient Technologies. Find out more about what they do at: http://www.incipient.net/

Storm Drain

In a town where nearly everyone travels by foot or by bicycle poor drainage is just not acceptable. All day Wednesday and Thursday construction crews worked quickly to install the new storm drain that will control future flooding in downtown Isla Vista. The pipes seen here will connect to a new storm drain system and move rain water out of Isla Vista Streets. The manhole connects the Pardall pipe to the Embarcadero del Mar pipe.

This work will continue at the Pardall and Embarcadero del Mar intersection through Wed, Sept 3 then move to the intersection of Pardall and Embarcadero del Norte.

Pardall Groundbreaking

Wednesday's groundbreaking event went off smoothly as construction crews took a break from installing the new storm drain at the corner of Pardall and Embarcadero del Mar. UCSB Chancellor Yang, First District Supervisor Salud Carbajal, Second District Supervisor Janet Wolf and about 50 others were on hand for the event to celebrate the first major project to go to construction from the Isla Vista Master Plan. Unfortunately, Third District Supervisor Brooks Firestone, whose office played an instrumental role in getting this project to construction was ill and could not attend the event.



Special thanks to UCSB, the Isla Vista Recreation and Parks District, the Isla Vista Foot Patrol, County Public Works, and all the students, residents and business owners who attended.


Silvergreens and FreshStart Cafe provided coffee and tasty snack.

To watch the video of the groundbreaking paste this link into your browser:

http://sbcounty.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=5&clip_id=626&publish_id=&event_id=

Pardall Palms to Temporary Home

Five of the palms on Pardall near Embarcadero del Norte were removed over the last two days and moved to a temporary home on the UCSB campus. Each of the ten palms planned to be moved will be brought back to the EDN intersection and replanted as part of the final project. The palms are being moved by Senna Tree who specializes in palm relocation and does a lot of work for Las Vegas casinos. A large crane and a flat-bed truck were used to move the trees from Pardall and campus.

The palms will be temporarily stored on campus, west of the campus police station, near Mesa Rd and Stadium Rd. You can clearly see them from Mesa Rd as you pass by. They are being cared for by a professional arborist while at their temporary location. These types of palms, Washingtonia robusta, or fan palms, are very hardy and have a nearly 100% survivability rate.

Blue Pipe

Trenching and installation of the new water main is underway. Contractors are installing a new blue colored 8 inch water main down the middle of Pardall and backfilling the trench as they go. The contractors anticipating reaching all the way to the Embarcadero del Mar intersection by Friday.

The new water main also includes a new set of valves in the EDM intersection that will allow the water district to minimize downtown wide construction related water shut-downs in the future.

Waterline Trenching to Begin

Tomorrow, Aug 13, trenching will begin for the new water line that will run down Pardall Rd and service all the businesses and many residences in downtown IV. The trench will start at the Embarcadero del Norte end and move down the road toward Embarcadero del Mar over the next 3 days. The contractor will be installing new water pipe and backfilling the trench as they go.

While this work continues traffic along Pardall will continue to be limited with only delivery and service vehicles allowed during construction hours. Sidewalks will be open and there is a dedicated area open in the road for bicycles.

In the middle of all the construction there are still plenty of people out enjoying IV businesses. The picture here shows construction in the background while summer session student enjoy a crepe at the new FreshStart Cafe across from IV Bookstore.