Brick Sidewalk Detail

Although providing more sidewalk and better lighting are the most obvious aspect of the Pardall project, one of the small details on the project is the band of brick pavers that run along the street behind the curb. Its a subtle but important touch that add a little color and texture to offset the concrete.

The detail adds an extra step to the process of constructing the new sidewalk. Typical sidewalk construction requires 2 steps for pouring the concrete -- pouring the curb and gutter and letting it cure followed by pouring the sidewalk itself. To add the brick detail, the concrete masons have an additional step. They pour an additional concrete trough the brick will sit on after the curb prior to the sidewalk section.

Pardall Street Lights

About half of the 44 new street lights have been installed with about 12 of them energized at the corner of Emb del Mar. These will replace the 6 lights that were previously along Pardall Rd with the new lighting being more appropriate to a pedestrian and bicycle oriented downtown and creating a safer place for all at night.

Each light utilizes the photo-sensor that tells the light to turn on at dusk and turn off at sunrise. Some of the electricity to run the lights will be generated by the solar panels to be installed as part of the Alumni Corner Solar Car Park (Northeast corner of Pardall and Emb del Mar) going to construction this Spring/Summer.

Winter Break-Out

While students were away for winter break and IV businesses were mainly closed the contractors to remove large sections of sidewalk and pour the new curb, gutter and expanded sidewalk areas on the mountain side of Pardall between Emb del Mar and Emb del Norte.

The new sidewalk extends about 10 feet into the street and in some cases, was poured up to the front of downtown businesses. Many of these businesses will be able to use some of this expanded sidewalk space for outdoor cafes.

Watch for some of your favorite restaurants to provide new or expanded outdoor space dining and hanging out.

Intersection Demo & Recycle

Monday morning the jack-hammer, technically a hydro-hammer, started to punch holes in the Embarcadero del Mar intersection asphalt in anticipation of the whole area being torn out this week. Other heavy equipment will pull up the pieces of concrete and asphalt and ship it off-site where it will be recycled.

It is common practice locally for contractors to take concrete and asphalt to one of the grinder facilities on the South Coast, have the materials ground up, and used as a recycled road base. The base is the sub-surface material, usually gravel and sand, that is compacted and becomes the surface on which the road asphalt is applied.

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.