The Village Marketing Group has a new cause on their radar, one that will bring a little extra entertainment to the typically tranquil Shelton Park, located at the corner of Bonita and Harvard Avenues. The Claremont City Council Tuesday, June 25, will review the group’s proposal to build a stage at Shelton Park, 100 W. Bonita Ave.

Marketing group members have focused efforts on raising money for a new band stage to be constructed at the little corner park, and had planned on gifting the stage to the city. However, because the stage would then be under the ownership of the city, responsible for maintaining the stage thereafter, the approval of the council is needed before construction moves forward.

The Village Marketing Group estimates that the stage will cost about $100,000—members plan to launch a fundraising campaign to gather the needed funds should the council give their approval. The Parks, Hillsides and Utilities Committee, Tree Committee, Community and Human Services Commission and Architectural Commission have all lent their support to the construction of a stage.

The council will also vote on a proposed $320,000 master plan for Foothill Boulevard. The goal of this master plan, according to the report, is to consolidate existing plans for the street and “create a community vision for the future of Foothill Boulevard, and to identify, prioritize and coordinate improvements to the street and public right-of-way.”

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) issued the city of Claremont $5.7 million last June for the relinquishment of the city of Claremont’s portion of the historic highway. City officials recognize that it won’t be enough to cover the cost of improvements to the street. Administrators are suggesting that exploring funding sources be a part of the master plan. Identifying needs and consulting the public for input into this “community vision” are also a part of the plan.

The Claremont City Council meeting takes place at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chamber, 225 W. Second St. View the full agenda at www.ci.claremont.ca.us.

—Beth Hartnett

news@claremont-courier.com