| Work Detail |
ALISO VIEJO — Construction on the long-awaited Aliso Viejo Ranch project could begin within a month after the City Council greenlighted plans for the 7.7-acre site, which sits on the last remaining undeveloped parcel of the 22,000-acre Moulton Ranch. The council authorized funding of up to $13.5 million and awarded a construction contract for $15.6 million to Lake Elsinore-based Tovey/Shultz Construction. Tovey/Shultz was the lower of two bids the city received, according to a staff report. The property, at 100 Park Ave., consists of seven existing structures including a barn, bunkhouse, three sheds, caretaker’s house and caretaker’s garage. Plans include the rehabilitation and reuse of the barn and bunkhouse along with a working farm with fruit and nut tree orchards, raised-bed vegetable gardens and several fish ponds, each with about 2,000 tilapia that will be harvested biannually. The food grown on site will be donated to food banks and will provide farm-to-table ingredients for school culinary programs – including one at Aliso Niguel High School – and community classes and functions. The unanimous council vote on April 17 was met with applause from council members, city staffers and community members – some of who have been waiting decades for development to begin on the ranch. Construction plans stalled in November when bids received were higher than originally estimated. City staffers revised the bid documents to include individual pricing for specific elements of the project. “This project has been – in one way or another – on the books for 20 to 25 years,” City Manager David Doyle said after the vote. “This council made a momentous decision to move this forward in a tremendous way, and I want to congratulate you all for that. It’s going to be a huge element and improvement in the community.” The $15.6 million cost includes a base bid and construction on Phase 1 of the farm. Additional components – Phase 2 of the farm, refurbishing the existing bunkhouse and construction of a new water tower and windmill – could individually be added later, bringing the total project cost, including management fees and contingency, to $18.5 million. About $13.5 million will be financed, with the balance generated from bond funding, general fund reserves and grant funds, according to a staff report. Councilwoman Tiffany Ackley tempered her affirmative vote, saying she had concerns about the financing; however, she was “willing to take a leap of faith and vote yes.” The site will feature hands-on community educational programs on sustainable farming operations and will provide an opportunity for onsite STEM, biological science, horticultural and urban educational classes and community programs, farm-to-table dinners and special events. |
