A California county is asking for bids to help revitalize Dana Point Harbor.Orange County is requesting that development companies provide statements of qualification detailing ability and interest in partnering with the county to revitalize the harbor.
Each year, more than 50,000 boaters enjoy the harbor, which features popular recreation areas and a thriving commercial core. The county said the harbor generates more than $82 million in gross revenue annually and provides jobs to more than 1,200 people.
The plan requires that specific areas of the harbor be renovated or reconstructed — including the commercial core, the East and West marinas, guest slips and the Marina Inn Hotel. Other areas will be refurbished.
Developing a vision for Dana Point Harbor has been a collaborative effort for more than 18 years. The plan consists of major landside and waterside improvements.
In January 2015, the California Coastal Commission approved a Coastal Development Permit for the landside improvements to move forward.
The request for qualifications for a public-private partnership will be followed by a request for proposals from firms determined to be qualified for the project.
The county envisions a master ground lease with a private partner that would design, permit, fund, construct, renovate and operate improvements within the harbor.
The plan calls for all of the improvements to be operated by the private partner for the duration of the lease.
The private partner also would administer leases, collect rents and be responsible for all costs associated with running its operations while paying rent based on gross receipts pursuant to a lease that will be deposited into the special Tidelands Trust account for use only in the harbor area.
