Old Town trolley plan sidetracked
By Daniel Wolowicz camarillo@theacorn.com

NOT NOW- The Camarillo City Council has decided to wait on a two-car trolley plan along Ventura Boulevard in Old Town. City officials say the popularity of a trolley (similar to the one above) would be more certain after a 250-room Marriott hotel is built on the now-vacant property that neighbors Edwards Cinemas.

Camarillo city officials have decided to wait on a proposed trolley car route along Old Town's Ventura Boulevard between Lewis and Las Posas roads.

Similar to a city bus, the gaspowered trolley would make stops at various points along the fourmile route.

Although Doug Bilse, a city traffic engineer, said a trolley route was feasible, city staff members told the Camarillo City Council that the trolley car plan would have the best chance for success if the city waited another three years for the 250-room Marriott hotel to be built in 2010.

"This gives us a higher chance for success," Bilse said. "You only get one shot at this thing, and you want to do it right."

According to Bilse, an eightmonth trial of a two-car trolley route would cost the city about $350,000. If the city moved forward with a full-time route, it would need to buy two $200,000 trolley cars. Bilse said it would cost about $440,000 a year to run the trolleys once they were in use.

The City Council heard the recommendation last week during a city hall study session on the proposed trolley route.

The expected full-service Marriott is the second phase of the Camarillo Promenade development to be built on the large empty lot neighboring Edwards Cinemas. The promenade will include shops and restaurants, as well as the hotel and conference center.

City Manager Jerry Bankston said that if the hotel receives a final okay by Marriott's corporate office, construction crews could break ground later this year. The hotel may be completed as early as 2010.

Along with the larger hotel, a new Residence Inn by Marriott is slated to be built on the corner of Lewis Road and Ventura Boulevard.

Bilse said a trolley could be used by hotel guests and would help connect tourists with shops and restaurants in Old Town and the Camarillo Premium Outlet Mall. Eventually, an expanded trolley route would take riders across the 101 Freeway to the area's other large shopping centers, city officials said.

Some council members, including Kevin Kildee, balked at the cost of the proposed trolley.