This photo taken with a drone, shows the layout of the Lila Keiser Park, with the parking lot in the center adjacent to the park’s west softball diamond. The parking lot is being repaired and repaved plus handicap accessible improvements. Photo courtesy City of Morro Bay
The City of Morro Bay has begun pairs on two parking lots, one at a heavily-used park and the other at the police department.
The Public Works Department sent out a notice on March 28, saying that its contractor, Ramsey Asphalt Construction Corp., of San Luis Obispo was ready to start work. Ramsey was awarded a $236,000 contract for the two parking lots back in January.
A news release dated March 22 from Public Works, describes the jobs. “The project addresses the deteriorating asphalt concrete surfaces and accessibility deficiencies seen in Lila Keiser Park and safety issues of the Police Department’s parking lot. The contractor will perform extensive asphalt removal and replacement, concrete installations, and placement of new pavement markings and striping.”
Previously, back in July 2022, the parking lots are described as also needing work to make them more handicap accessible.
“In addition,” former City Engineer Eric Riddiough said, “there is need to upgrade ADA-accessible parking to the lot. The park site is not City-owned, but it is the responsibility of the City to maintain the facilities, including the parking lot.”
In actuality, the park and its two softball fields, barbecue picnic area, snack bar and playground, are owned by Vistra, and part of the company’s power plant property. It is leased to the City for essentially nothing, a deal that was set up long ago when Pacific Gas & Electric owned the power plant.
Lila Keiser, which hosts Little League, adult softball, girls’ youth softball leagues and youth soccer, is probably used by more people than any other City park. Readers don’t have to worry, as the City plans to keep the park open during the 2-month job.
“Although there may be moments during construction when the parking lot accessibility is temporarily affected, measures have been put in place to ensure that field use remains uninterrupted.”
Target date for completion is June 25.
