Lake Forest reports completion of 36 CIP projects; $36 million program moves remaining projects forward

Naz Mokaram, Lake Forest City capital improvement program manager, told the Planning Commission on Sept. 4 that the city’s 2023–25 capital improvement program (CIP) includes 70 projects with a total budget of $36,000,000 and that 36 projects have been completed to date.

The update matters because it frames the city’s near-term construction activity and how limited staff and grant reimbursements are being used to close out the current CIP cycle. "Lake Forest is investing in the future with 70 capital improvement projects and $36,000,000 dedicated to parks, streets, and public spaces," Mokaram said.

Mokaram said the completed work this quarter included a traffic signal synchronization program and conference-room upgrades across the Civic Center campus, park improvements including shade-structure renovation at Pittsburg Park, and restriping of multiple courts to accommodate pickleball at Foothill Ranch, Baker Ranch and Borrego Parks. He told commissioners that the city used Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for the fourth phase of its audible pedestrian signal (APS) upgrades, replacing APS buttons at 18 intersections.

In total, Mokaram reported that about $20,000,000 of CIP investment has been completed so far in the 2023–25 program. He said 16 projects are currently under construction and cited several nearing completion: Zone D residential streets asphalt repairs (substantially complete), Baker Ranch Community Park turf replacement (substantially complete), and intersection improvements funded with Lake Forest Transportation Mitigation (LIFT) funds. Rockville and Los Aliso intersection striping is expected within two weeks, he added, and crack sealing and a scheduled slurry seal will address other intersections.

Mokaram also listed preconstruction and design work. The city is bundling four projects along El Toro Road (Geronimo to Trabuco) and, he said, council awarded that contract on the preceding Tuesday so the work will move into construction. He noted a remaining pickleball conversion at El Toro Ballpark and four traffic-improvement projects and four park improvements in design. Overall counts Mokaram provided for the CIP were: 36 projects complete, 16 in construction, five in preconstruction, nine in design and four in predesign.

Commissioners asked about visual impacts, parking and pedestrian/bicycle safety along El Toro Road; Mokaram said staff considers bicycle infrastructure during resurfacing projects and is using green bike-lane paint where space permits. Commissioners also thanked staff for traffic-synchronization work and noted long-standing roadway widening projects (Bake/Trabuco).

Mokaram closed by saying this update coincided with the end of the city’s fiscal year and that he was available for questions.

The presentation provided progress metrics for the 2023–25 CIP and flagged several near-term construction activities and outreach steps ahead of the next quarterly update.