Lake Forest staff outline $54.5 million 2025-27 CIP: completed projects, intersection widenings, OCTA signal work and timelines

Naz Makaram, the city's capital improvement program manager, presented the Community Services Commission with a detailed update on Lake Forest's 2025-27 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), saying the program currently includes 58 projects with a total budget of $54,500,000.

"The 2527 CIP currently, includes 58 projects. 43 projects are defined in our 2527 CIP book and 15 are carry forwards from previous years," Makaram said. He told the commission staff completed seven projects since the last quarterly report and that those completed efforts represent more than $4.5 million of community investment. Makaram named recently finished projects including Baker Ranch community-park turf replacement, El Toro irrigation-conservation work, building-roof repairs and synthetic-turf replacement at Lake Forest Sports Park, landscape improvements at Normandale Park, perimeter fencing, and zone D asphalt repairs.

Makaram outlined several projects either under construction or in design: sports-field renovations and LED lighting at Heroes Park (fields reopened the Monday before the meeting), citywide restroom renovations pending fixture delivery, and Vintage Park stair repairs with slope landscaping to follow. He also described developer-fee funded programs: the Lake Forest Transportation Mitigation Program (LIFTHEM) projects, a Meadows/Toledo intersection widening project, and the Foothill Circulation Phasing Program (FCPP) projects bundled under a single contract, with some work expected to begin in early 2026.

On congestion relief and signal work, Makaram said the city is using OCTA Measure M2 funding for traffic-signal synchronization and video detection equipment tied to the traffic management center. "From the projects we received funding from the OCTA, we were able to get video detection equipment in our traffic management center," he said, noting staff actively monitor intersections and adjust timing during construction.

Commission questions focused on local traffic impacts and the status of a proposed pickleball court at El Toro Park. Deputy City Manager McGovern said bids for the El Toro pickleball court had been opened but that the City Council approved a substitute motion to pursue additional community outreach and consider alternatives, putting the bids on hold. "The bids are gonna be on hold for now for the El Toro Park pickleball court construction project," McGovern said.

Makaram also provided project timing and phasing details: major intersection widenings (including plans to add dual left-turn lanes and dedicated/right-turn lanes at key intersections) will extend construction into 2026 and some projects remain dependent on external partners (for example, the City of Irvine is leading design on one Jeronimo Road widening element). He said the city anticipates starting several resurfacing and slurry-seal projects in 2026 and continuing outreach and design for six parks projects currently in pre-design, including Kavanaugh Park, Lake Forest Sports Park building renovations, and creek-drainage repairs.

This was an informational update; the commission did not take formal action on CIP items at this meeting. Staff noted they will present design materials and additional timelines to the commission and the City Council as plans progress.