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Politics & Government

$50,000 Renovation At Mac Dutra Park Begins Next Month

The project will focus on revamping the public restrooms at the park located at Main St. and Kelly Ave.

Next month, the public restrooms at Mac Dutra Park in downtown Half Moon Bay are getting a makeover -- but it's not just cosmetic.

In addition to graffiti-resistant and non-permeable wall and floor coverings, new entry doors, and new sinks, toilets, and hand dryers -- renovations will make the restrooms compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), as well as reduce ongoing costs needed to maintain the restrooms, according to the city.

The project will be completed by Whelen Construction, a Half Moon Bay company chosen through the city's competitive bidding process. The Half Moon Bay City Council approved the project last June.

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The Half Moon Bay Main St. Beautification Committee contributed $10,000 of the $50,000 approximated cost to complete the project. The city's share of the cost will be taken out of the 2010-2011 fiscal year budget, according to the city.

"Getting financial help from the local community to meet State mandates such as ADA compliance in public restrooms is such a great gift," said Laura Snideman, Half Moon Bay City Manager.

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"Visitors are such an important part of our economy that any improvements we can make to enhance their experience will hopefully encourage them to visit more often and stay longer," Snideman continued. "Their visits help us pay for all of the services that residents receive."

During the monthlong renovation, the restrooms will be closed, and the west end of the park will be barricaded. The remainder of the park will stay open.

Mac Dutra Park is located at the corner of Main St. and Kelly Ave.

Correction 2/24 11 am: The City of Half Moon Bay's original press release (released 2/23) stated that the new bathroom fixtures were stainless steel and "vandal resistant," which was included in the original version of this article.  The morning of 2/24, the city (Laura Snideman) issued a correction to the press release stating that the bathroom fixtures included new sinks, toilets, and hand dryers. That correction has been made to this story.

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