Construction to Commence this Year on Measure J Village Projects

FAIR OAKS, CA (MPG) - The Fair Oaks Village Enhancement Committee (FOVEC)—a local 501(c)3 non-profit that works to enhance the Fair Oaks Village business district—hosted an early morning Zoom meeting on February 24 to provide updates about the upcoming Measure J construction projects in the Village.  

At more than $18 million dollars, FOVEC member William Mercado said the construction projects in the Village represent the largest investment in the Village district, “so I’m sure it will make quite an impact on our community.”

Measure J is a $26.9 million general obligation bond passed by voters in 2018 with 68.9% approval. Fair Oaks Recreation and Park District Administrator Mike Aho said that the construction projects in the Village—upgrades to Village and Plaza parks, the remodel of the Veterans Memorial Amphitheatre, and renovations to the Community Clubhouse—will create a “more cohesive feeling.” Rather than two parks with various District buildings between them, Aho said the construction of an interconnected walkway around the parks and facilities will establish an atmosphere of one large, expansive park. The projects will also add an additional 20 parking spaces to the Village.

The updates to Village Park include new playground equipment, featuring a 20 ft. climbing tower, a suspended mesh tunnel, an enclosed slide tunnel, and a slide play area built into the hillside. The existing outdoor stage and dance pad will be maintained and incorporated into the design. Accessible bathrooms and seating will also be part of the construction.

In Plaza Park, the back of the renovated Amphitheatre will feature a small stage as the center point for smaller concerts and the annual tree lighting. With overhead lighting, tables and chairs for increased social interactions, and a mixture of hardscape, lawn, and native plants, the Plaza will be enhanced in its role as “the front yard of the Village,” said Aho.

At the Community Clubhouse, the amenities will be upgraded, including a new heating and cooling system, new lighting, new sound and video capacities, and new flooring, doors, and windows. The overall look and function of the Clubhouse will be improved, including ensuring ADA compliance.

The Amphitheatre renovation will involve a new more appealing and visible entrance, while the outdoor amphitheatre seating will be maintained with over 500 seats—although Aho said a few of the existing seats will be lost to make room for ADA-compliant seating. The renovation will also create a multi-use space, to be known as the Fair Oaks Village Park Community Center. This Community Center will be comprised of multiple interior rooms that can be adjusted for size, as well as the Amphitheatre stage itself, which can be closed off to create a smaller performance space (the Black Box Theatre) that can seat more than 200 people.

Last year, the District purchased the commercial building located near the Amphitheatre entrance. The former salon was recently vacated, so Aho said demolition is scheduled to start in April, along with demolition of the back side of the Amphitheatre in Plaza Park. The site of the former salon will become a social seating area that Aho said will be “a great amenity to the park.”

Aho estimated that construction fencing will go up in May, although the exact timing will depend on permitting and might have to be adjusted due to COVID-related delays. Once construction begins, the projects will take approximately 18 months to complete. The cost is $7.9 million for the Amphitheatre renovation, $7.4 for the upgrades in the green spaces, and $3 for Clubhouse improvements.

“I’m excited. I’m honored that the voters have voted for this and for the input that we’ve received on it, and I look forward to the next phases of this project,” said Aho. The District plans to partner with FOVEC to hold frequent meetings to keep the public up to date as the projects move forward.  

FOVEC member Keith Walter shared some of the Committee’s plans for helping Village businesses thrive. Many businesses have struggled throughout the pandemic, but the Village has also welcomed new businesses. Walter said the Village has “tremendous diversity in the dining and drinking scene” but needs “cohesive messaging.”

Once the Village construction projects are completed, FOVEC hopes to make use of the new facilities to host a series of events that will bring “new people, new shoppers, new vibrancy to the Village,” said Walter. They hope to launch a merchant group that will manage a unified calendar, ensuring increased business participation and publicizing the events to generate visitor enthusiasm.

To find out more about FOVEC and sign up for future update meetings, visit https://www.fairoaksvillage.org/.