LUCERNE, Calif. – Lucerne's newest park opened to the public this week.
On Monday, the fences that surrounded the newly completed Third Avenue Plaza came down, signaling that it's open to visitors, according to Lake County Deputy Redevelopment Director Eric Seely.
The project, which Seely said took just over a year to complete, cost a total of $1.3 million.
That figure covered two contracts – more than $800,000 for the park, with the balance going to construct the 180-foot-long pier and seawall, he said.
Seely said a grand opening for the park isn't currently scheduled, as redevelopment projects are keeping county staff too busy to plan one.
Funding sources for the project included $472,000 from the state Wildlife Conservation Board and the federal Land and Water Conservation Fund, $500,000 from the state's Roberti-Z'Berg-Harris grant fund, $300,000 from the redevelopment agency and a match of between $100,000 and $150,000 from the county general fund for the state grant, according to a previous interview with Seely.
The park's opening comes the same week as the state Legislature approved an early budget that proposes eliminating redevelopment agencies.
The outcome of that Wednesday budget vote by the Legislature won't be clear until Gov. Jerry Brown makes a decision on whether or not he'll sign the bill.
Work is continuing at a rapid pace on other Northshore redevelopment projects, including the Lucerne Hotel, which recently was painted and had new stucco work completed, Seely said.
Seely said work is under way on Americans with Disabilities Act compliant bathrooms on the historic building's main floor, and ongoing general maintenance issues, including replacing broken windows and rotted out window frames.
The building's seven-story tower also is getting new windows, with B&D Window Sash Co. of Clearlake Oaks building made-to-order replicas, Seely said.
He said the tower also will get new railings and decks on its small decorative balconies.
Seely said the project has required tapping into Parks Department staff to assist in getting the work done.
At its June 7 meeting the Board of Supervisors approved issuing a request for proposals to 200 educational institutions to seek partnership opportunities in using the Lucerne Hotel as an educational campus.
E-mail Elizabeth Larson at
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
