Layoffs reportedly take place at Dana Point West Marina

DANA POINT—One of the inevitabilities of waterfront revitalization lies in the changing of the keys. Like anything else, when new management comes in there are bound to be casualties.

Through an unnamed source, it was revealed there were layoffs at Dana Point West since the new developers, Dana Point Harbor Partners (DPHP), have decided to combine the East and West basin teams. Included in the layoffs was longtime general manager of Dana Point Marina Company, Doug Whitlock, who previously hinted at change coming to the marina, in an article published by The Log concerning the removal of the boat hoist.

Similar to Orange County’s handling of the Dana Point Harbor revitalization project, DPHP are also remaining tight-lipped about the project as it develops.

The publicity team was contacted for DPHP, but the group declined to comment at press time. However, the team shared that some updates about the project will be available later.

“Bryon Ward attended yesterday [Feb. 25] evening’s DPHAB to provide our group and attending guests with an update on the progress of the commercial core portion of the revitalization project.  In the briefest of terms, most of the work at the moment is quietly taking place behind the scenes – designs, entitlements, etc.  Other than repairs and essential improvements to the existing facilities, we likely won’t see any obvious work until next year,” said James Lenthall, Chair (pending) of Dana Point Harbor Advisory Board (DPHAB).

According to a flyer sent out by The Marina at Dana Point (presuming to be the new management team in Dana Point Harbor), there will be an open house meeting on March 11 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Advertised in the flyer was the chance to meet the new team, have a bite to eat, and learn more about the harbor revitalization and proposed slip layout. The event will be held at 34555 Casitas Place in Dana Point.

In an email with DPHP’s publicity team, Miki Akil, a representative for Kitchen Table Marketing + PR, stated: “We spoke with the team today and there aren’t any updates to share at this time, but, there should be in the next few weeks.”

The Log responded to the email asking if DPHP would like to comment on the recent layoffs, but there was no response by press time.

In some ways, this news is not surprising. Bryon Ward had previously mentioned at public meetings that DPHP would be concentrating on permit approval/other agency approval and focus would be on a parking structure before any other projects took place.

Last October, the County of Orange signed a contract with DPHP to take over the lease and essentially do what the county could not: give the harbor a facelift. The county turned to the private sector to complete the extensive revitalization, totaling $330 million, after more than a decade of work in the public sector but without much noticeable results.

OC Parks, however, now has a webpage dedicated to the revitalization project including design renderings and a schedule. For information about the project, visit dphadvisory.org.