Downtown
The Downtown is the symbolic center or “heart” of the City providing community and tourist-serving retail commercial, entertainment, restaurant, offices, art and cultural facilities, and public uses. Downtown’s tree lined streets, plazas, and seating areas encourage pedestrian activity, particularly along Avenida Del Mar and the El Camino Real intersection, providing a wonderful shopping and dining experience. A listing and virtual tour of Downtown businesses is provided here: http://www.downtownsanclemente.com/.
Downtown Parking
Downtown Public Parking Lots Map.
The City is actively working to increase the availability of public parking downtown by freeing up privately owned parking lots for public use. For more information about this program please contact Veronica Morones at 949-361-6186 or by email at moronesv@san-clemente.org.
Programs and Incentives
Commercial Rehabilitation Funds
The City of San Clemente annually receives a $25,000 to $30,000 grant from the federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program for implementation of our Downtown Revitalization Program. Major funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). In an attempt to work with as many small businesses as possible, the City targets dilapidated or non-conforming signs, awnings, lighting and minor architectural features for exterior improvements. The CDBG target area includes all businesses, within the downtown business area, between Avenida Presidio and Avenida Palizada and along North El Camino Real to Avenida Pico in San Clemente. This program provides property and business owners financial incentives by providing grants to remodel commercial properties in the federally established CDBG target areas.
San Clemente’s Commercial Rehabilitation funds are limited to improvements to the exterior of the building and/or the correction of code violations. Funding includes small grants up to $2,000. Projects over $2,000 may be considered for funding but may require a match of funds from the property owner and may be subject to prevailing wages. Façade improvement projects are selected based on downtown businesses with the greatest need within the CDBG target area. In addition, projects may be subject to the Planning Commission’s design review process.
Business Associations
Downtown Business Association
http://www.villagesanclemente.org/
Liaison Contact Info
Veronica Morones | City of San Clemente
Associate Planner | Downtown / Pier Bowl Liaison
910 Calle Negocio, Ste. 100 CA 92673
office: 949.361.6186 | facsimile: 949.366.4750
website: http://www.san-clemente.org
Alley Facilities Plan
In coordination with a planned utility undergrounding for downtown alleys, a facilities plan will be developed in 2013 identifying future alley improvements including lighting type, pavement type, landscaping, trash enclosure locations, etc. The plan will be developed with input from downtown merchants and property owners.
Project Updates:
- On July 17, 2012 the City Council approved expanded boundaries for the district boundary.
- An RFP for professional design services will be developed towards the end of 2012.
Recent Projects
Granada Trash Enclosure
The City Council has been concerned about the visual blight of having trash barrels along the public alley between Avenida Del Mar and Avenida Granada. In response, the Council directed City staff to pursue the construction of a common trash enclosure in the Granada City parking lot. Consistent with City requirements, the trash enclosure will be Spanish Colonial Revival design and incorporate drought tolerant landscaping.
Project Updates:
Parking Lease Program
The parking lease program increases the effective supply of parking downtown by converting underutilized private parking lots to public lots, thereby increasing their usage and the perceived available parking downtown. This program has resulted in higher utilization of the existing supply of parking in the downtown and resulted in a perceived increase in the supply of parking. If you are interested in leasing your private parking lot to the City please contact Veronica Morones at 949-361-6189 and monoresv@san-clemente.org.
Downtown Bicycle Parking
The City received a grant from the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) to install bicycle parking within the downtown area as it connects to the Pacific Coast Bicycle Route. City staff will coordinate with downtown merchants/owners and local bike advocacy groups (PEDal and Orange County Bicycle Coalition) in the selection of bicycle parking facility location and type.
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