Lake Forest details $54.5 million CIP; major intersection widenings to extend into 2026

The City of Lake Forest presented a quarterly update on the 2025'27 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) at the Community Services Commission meeting Nov. 5, with staff listing completed projects, active construction, and several developer‑funded traffic improvements.

"The 2025'27 CIP currently includes 58 projects. 43 projects are defined in our 2025'27 CIP book and 15 are carry‑forwards from previous years," Capital Improvement Program Manager Naz Makaram told the commission, and he said the total budget is $54,500,000.

Makaram said staff completed seven projects since the last quarterly update, including Baker Ranch community park turf replacement, the El Toro irrigation conservation project (for which the city expects roughly $77,000 in reimbursement from the Metropolitan Water District), Lake Forest Sports Park roof repairs and synthetic turf replacement, Normandale Park landscaping and perimeter fencing, and Zone D asphalt repairs. "Staff completed 7 projects equating to more than $4,500,000 investment back to the community," Makaram said.

Active and near-complete efforts listed included sports-field renovations and LED lighting at Heroes Park, citywide restroom renovations, Vintage Park stair and slope work, and additional work at Lake Forest Sports Park. Makaram identified several developer‑fee programs that fully fund specific improvements: the Lake Forest Transportation Mitigation Program (LIFTHEM), the Meadows-area (formerly Nakhaseb Nursery) improvements, and the Foothill Circulation Phasing Program (FCPP), which includes multiple El Toro-area projects bundled for construction.

On transportation projects, the city is widening the Tribute intersection (adding dual left-turn lanes and lane conversions) and expects work there to continue into 2026. Makaram said the Jeronimo intersection widening is in design (City of Irvine leading design) with construction anticipated to begin in early 2026. He also described completed or near-complete intersection adjustments at Los Olisos/Rockville, Geronimo/Lake Forest widening, and restriping on Rancho Parkway to improve turn movements.

Makaram said traffic-signal synchronization projects funded about 90% by OCTA through Measure M2 are under construction or near complete and expected to finish by year end; the city has added video detection equipment to the traffic management center to monitor and refine signal timing during construction.

Commissioners asked a series of follow-ups about project timing, traffic access during construction, and the status of several park-related bids. When asked about the El Toro Park pickleball court bids, Deputy City Manager McGovern said the city council had expressed hesitation and asked for additional outreach. "The city council expressed some hesitancy about installing a new pickleball court over at El Toro Park for a variety of reasons," McGovern said. Makaram confirmed the bids for El Toro Park pickleball construction are on hold while the council pursues a substitute motion for more community outreach and to consider alternatives. "The bids are gonna be on hold for now for the El Toro Park pickleball court construction project," Makaram said.

Staff also outlined a slate of preconstruction and design-phase work: Lake Forest Sports Park HVAC replacement (award pending), pickleball and box-lacrosse bid openings, ADA ramp upgrades using CDBG funding, annual street and park repairs, and several projects in predesign (including Kavanaugh Park outreach and Nature Park trail connections). Makaram summarized project counts: 7 completed, 14 in various construction phases, 3 in preconstruction, 13 in design, and 6 in predesign.

No formal commission action was required on the CIP summary. Staff said some projects depend on external approvals or funding timing and provided estimated schedules for major items.