A developer seeking to revitalize Fisherman’s Wharf into a visitor-serving center, Karls, has moved one more step forward to realization.

At its May 21, 2024 meeting, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a one-year lease option agreement with Robert Dahl, a German-based strawberry farmer and developer. In 1992, Dahl founded the flagship Karl’s Village and has since expanded operations to 7 other locations in Germany.

Harbor Department Director Michael Tripp said he is pleased with the Board of Supervisors’ decision to allow the Harbor Department to move forward with Dahl’s project and is excited with the overwhelming positive support from the community.

“We worked very hard to get community acceptance of this project, with more than 20 community workshops that led the Karls’ team to substantially modify the project based on the public input received,” Director Tripp said. “At the meeting, it was very gratifying to hear all of the positive public comments.”

Director Tripp said the one-year lease option agreement allows Dahl’s team to move forward with finalizing plans for the project, as well as secure any necessary permits from the California Coastal Commission and the City of Oxnard. If Dahl’s team satisfies the requirements and conditions outlined in the one-year lease option agreement, a subsequent 30-year lease will take effect.

“Based on their track record of successfully developing properties, the reuse of several of the existing buildings, Dahl’s willingness to conform with current zoning, and the project’s goal of providing low-cost visitor-serving amenities to families of all economic backgrounds, I firmly believe that this proposed project will be a great fit at Fisherman’s Wharf and will be an attraction that generations of families will want to visit,” Director Tripp said.

Karls’ project at the Channel Islands Harbor is a strawberry and maritime dual-themed village that will have a mix of retail shops, a café and bakery, restaurants, an artisan market, a small hotel, park areas and children’s playgrounds and recreational experiences. In addition, Dahl’s team intends to construct a pedestrian pier along the waterway to enable the community to have ample walking access at the property.

“We imagine that a Karls at the Channel Islands Harbor would revitalize the wharf area with dining, retail, recreation, and education & recreational activities for people of all ages and families of all economic backgrounds,” Robert Dahl said. “Our goal is to create a lively space that creates value for everyone along the water.”

Fisherman’s Wharf Project Timeline

May 2022: The Harbor Department released a Request for Proposals for the Fisherman’s Wharf parcel. Four proposals were reviewed by Harbor Department staff, and the Harbor Advisory Committee.

September 2022: A public meeting was held on three proposals for the Fisherman’s Wharf parcel.

November 2022: The Harbor Department announces its intent to enter into an Exclusive Right to Negotiate (ERN) with Karls.

February 2023: Due to some public opposition to the project, 12 community workshops were held to give the public a better understanding of what was being proposed by the Karls group.

April 2023: Harbor Department enters into an Exclusive Right to Negotiate with Karls.

January 2024: An additional 10 community workshops were held to give the public an opportunity to provide feedback on a revised project by Karls.

May 2024:  The Ventura County Board of Supervisors approves a lease option agreement and lease for the Karls project at Fisherman’s Wharf

Editor’s Note: this story was published on May 21, 2024.