A meeting to update progress on the proposed $140 million Dana Point Harbor revitalization project is Wednesday night.
County staff will display different alternatives for the marina configuration, speak about where the project stands in the permit process, and present a time table on the dredging plan, which will take out 100,000 cubic yards of the harbor starting mid-September, said Harbor Director Brad Gross, who took over about five months ago after the previous director resigned. 
“I think we’ve been moving in a positive direction,” Gross said. “I would hope that anybody who’s participating in these meetings will help us move the process forward.”
A supplemental environmental report will also be discussed, and the public will be asked to recommend alternatives to include in the final report when it is sent to the California Coastal Commission, which will decide whether the project moves forward.
The marina upgrades are part of a larger revitalization project that has been in the works for a decade, and includes improvements to the commercial businesses surrounding the harbor. Total cost is pegged at about $140 million.  
Consultants last year revealed that the estimated cost for the marina side of the project were significantly higher than previously thought – by tens of millions - bringing the cost to about $70 million to $80 million. 

Boaters in the past have disputed the potential loss of slips under the marina renovation plan. Under the proposal, there would be a loss of about 1,100 slips in the 29-foot and under category, with 750 added in slips sizes 30-foot and up. The net loss would be about 375 spaces.
A group of boaters formed an association about a year ago to work with the various government agencies as the process moves forward. Nearly 400 members have signed up. 
The group’s main drive is to ensure there will be no loss of slips in the harbor. 
“If anything, we should be growing the number of slips,” said the group’s founder, Bruce Heyman. “The population in O.C. has doubled since the harbor was built.”

Here’s a breakdown of proposed changes to various slip sizes:  

25′ to 29′ - 1157 becomes 219
30′ to 34′ - 391 becomes 748

35′ to 39′ - 270 becomes 576

40′ to 44′ - 129 becomes 239

45′ to 49′ - 107 becomes 111

50′ to 54′ - 57 becomes 36

55′ to 59′ - 33 becomes 20

60′ & larger - 15 becomes 44

For more info on the project, go to www.dphplan.com/ 
 - Laylan

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