(1/23/2024) Editor’s Note: All workshops have concluded. If you would like to communicate with the developer’s representative, please email at Axel Stelter at stelter@karls.de

A developer will host a series of workshops in January 2024 to seek community feedback on an updated draft concept to revitalize Fisherman’s Wharf at the Channel Islands Harbor.

Robert Dahl, a Germany-based strawberry farmer and developer, entered into a 12-month Exclusive Right to Negotiate (ERN) period with the County of Ventura in April 2023. During this period, Dahl’s team has been working on a long-term lease agreement with the County, visited Fisherman’s Wharf several times, and has formulated a concrete concept for the site.

This is the second series of public outreach workshops Dahl’s team has held regarding the project. In February 2023, 12 workshops were held to gather feedback and comments. Dahl’s team has been diligently working over the last year to refine that plan and incorporate some of the feedback from the community.

“Robert Dahl’s team has worked hard to create a clear vision for what redevelopment at Fisherman’s Wharf could look like,” said Michael Tripp, Ventura County Harbor Department Director. “We appreciate Karls’ desire to collect more community feedback as this process moves forward to the decision-making phase.”

The Karls development team will present the series of outreach workshops from Thursday, January 18, 2024 through Monday, January 22, 2024 to talk about the new concept and discuss any questions or concerns. All outreach workshops will be held at the Channel Islands Boating Center, located at 3880 Bluefin Circle, Oxnard, CA 93035.

Online registration is open for interested residents and visitors who want to attend one of the workshops. Online registration is recommended due to capacity issues.

Please see a list of times/dates below:

Time/Date	Registration Link
12 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 18	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.
8 a.m., Friday, Jan. 19	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.
12 p.m., Friday, Jan. 19	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.
8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 20 (Translation Services in Spanish Available)	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.
12 p.m., Saturday, Jan. 20 (Translation Services in Spanish Available)	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.
8 a.m., Monday, Jan. 22	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.
12 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22     4 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.   At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.
6 p.m., Monday, Jan. 22	At Capacity – All tickets have been reserved online by community members.

Director Tripp said the proposed plan is like some of the Karls Adventure Villages that Dahl’s company operates in Germany. Dahl’s plan is to refurbish existing buildings and create new structures that may include an artisan market, a café and bakery, restaurants, shops, expanded promenades and bike paths, as well as a potential small hotel, playgrounds, park areas, and children’s rides.

After the 12-month ERN period, Dahl’s team should have a specific project plan to present to the Harbor Department, Board of Supervisors, and California Coastal Commission for approval.

Editor’s Note: this story was published on Dec. 21, 2023.