The Ventura County Harbor Department issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to redevelop a Channel Islands Harbor parcel where the Anacapa Boatyard is currently operating.

Applicants seeking to develop the parcel should be able to do so more efficiently because of the department’s recently completed Harbor Visioning Process. The RFP can be downloaded here: https://www.channelislandsharbor.org/reports-publications/

“Based on our upfront public engagement with the community, government officials, and business representatives, the Harbor Department is confident we will receive proposals that will fit the Harbor well,” said Marilyn Miller, Harbor Department Director of Planning & Redevelopment

In 2020 and 2021, the Harbor Department facilitated the public visioning process utilizing a consultant with considerable community design and public engagement experience to explore the types of uses that are preferred in the Harbor. A steering committee comprised of County of Ventura and City of Oxnard representatives, Harbor business representatives and resident met to discuss possible future development. A preliminary survey was circulated to obtain viewpoints of residents, businesses, and visitors, and subsequently a virtual public workshop was held to present ideas on future development of the Harbor.

For this parcel, the visioning process concluded that the most desired development, in ranked order, include:

• Destination restaurant on the dock
• Houseboat rentals or “boatel”
• Visitor-serving commercial, including cafes, shops, a pub, etc.
• Vintage trailer bed & breakfast
• Hostel

The RFPs for this parcel are due Monday, October 25, 2021. Once the RFPs are received, they will be reviewed by the Harbor Department and a Harbor Advisory Committee. It is possible that one or more proposals will be selected for follow-up, including a formal presentation or request for follow-up information. It is also possible all proposals are rejected.

The County of Ventura contact person for all matters regarding this Request for Proposal is Marilyn Miller, Director of Planning & Redevelopment. Marilyn can be reached at (805) 973-5921 or by email at Marilyn.Miller@ventura.org

This marks the second RFP issued since the Harbor Visioning process has been complete. In early August an RFP was issued for the parcel where the popular, upscale Whale’s Tail restaurant formerly operated. Learn more about this RFP here: https://www.channelislandsharbor.org/blog/ventura-county-harbor-department-issues-request-for-proposal-for-whales-tail-parcel/

Editor’s Note: this story was published on August 31, 2021.