A landscape architect has started the planning process for a final segment of coastline in La Jolla that has been slated for improvement since 1989.
The area known as the People’s Wall, extending to Whale View Point, will be the final section of coastal improvement for Jim Neri, a landscape architect who began a mission to upgrade La Jolla’s coast in 1989. Neri was successful with each segment, beginning at the Coast Walk, near Goldfish Point Café, but he didn’t have one obstacle then that he now must overcome: funding.
The other sections of coastline were considered part of the city’s Capital Improvement Projects, which gave Neri the money to design the upgrade, then to take it through different planning boards and the Coastal Commission for approval.
But this leg is different. The city has no money, Neri said.
“Once the city has approved it, then we take it and put it in construction documents,” he said. “We look for grants or donations during that time.”
Before that point arrives, Neri must go through a long process, including the designing portion.
To ensure the public’s approval, Neri held a workshop Dec. 15 to discuss and vote on plans.
“We’re just in the preliminary stages,” he said. “The preliminary plan was affirmed by this workshop without exception, and the improvements are very minor types of things “” more cleanup and respecting the view.”
The plans include creating a new sidewalk made of decomposed granite extending from the wall to Whale View Point. Also, Neri said he plans to replace some of the invasive plant species with native plants.
Local philanthropist Nick Wallner decided to fund the design process through the La Jolla Conservancy, which will include a subtle memorial for his son, Mark Wallner.
By the end of January, Neri said he hopes to take the completed design to the conservancy for approval before moving on to the planning boards and Coastal Commission.