Trailhead Improvement Project at Cheeseboro Canyon September 19, 2022 to Early Summer 2023

The National Park Service has awarded a contract to AMA Diversified Construction Group, a company based out of Torrance, to revitalize the trailhead parking lot at Cheeseboro Canyon in Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area (SMMNRA). The project will include site grading; the installation of potable water and storm drainage utilities; new gravel-paved roadways and lots; a pedestrian pathway; and a new vault toilet.

“This project will make a big difference for thousands of hikers, cyclists, and equestrians who recreate in this area year-round,” said Jody Lyle, acting superintendent for SMMNRA. “It will also provide better storm water protection for our Agoura Hills neighbors who live near the trailhead.”

The project is slated to begin on Sept. 19, 2022, with expected completion by early summer next year. Construction will occur four days a week—Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. No regular work will be performed on Fridays, weekends, and federal holidays unless there’s a weather delay or unforeseen situation. With fire season right around the corner, park officials will monitor fire weather forecasts and take necessary precautions during red flag days.

The entire area around the existing parking lot (see accompanying map) will be closed during construction. Hikers, cyclists, and equestrians can still access the greater Cheeseboro and Palo Comado trail system via the Lower Cheeseboro Canyon Trail leaving from a temporary parking lot just south of the construction area. Several short trail sections (totaling approximately one mile) will be closed during construction.

This project combines federal dollars with private funds from the National Park Foundation, the Santa Monica Mountains Fund, and the Clifford Holmes estate. Holmes, a property ranch manager for actor Bob Hope, left his estate to this project after he died in the 1980s.

For general questions about the project, contact Ana Beatriz Cholo, the park’s public information officer, at ana_cholo@nps.gov.

Paige Lane Neighborhood Park in Thousand Oaks Anticipated to Open in Early September

In September 2021, the City of Thousand Oaks approved a $1.5 million grant to partially fund development of Conejo Creek Southwest Park, which as the name indicates, is southwest of Conejo Creek Park South. The 14 acre property, acquired in 1972, is bisected by Paige Lane as it travels beneath State Route 23.

The park has been renamed Paige Lane Neighborhood Park and is anticipated by CRPD to open in early September 2022. The new park will feature a Chumash-themed playground, parking lot, restroom, multi-use court/sand volleyball, shaded picnic area, drought-tolerant landscaping, water-efficient irrigation and walking/equestrian paths. The park is also adjacent to the Conejo Creek Bike Path.

Due to the current drought and CRPD’s efforts towards water conservation, the planned three acres of turf area will not be installed at the current time. We will initially see mulch cover and underground irrigation infrastructure for possible turf implementation at a later date, depending on future drought conditions.

Learn more at www.crpd.org/park/paige-lane-neighborhood-park.

Crumbl Cookies to Open Location at The Village at Newbury Park (OPENED MAY 12TH)

UPDATE: Crumbl Cookies Newbury Park opened on May 12th.

Learned tonight thanks to a heads up from Mackenzie P via Instagram that another Crumbl Cookies is coming soon to the Conejo Valley. This one will be located at The Village at Newbury Park, 935 Broadbeck Drive, Unit B, in the former AT&T store in between Chipotle and Islands. The Westlake Village location opened a month ago at The Shoppes at Westlake Village. Another location at the Oxnard Esplanade opened July 1st

When? No idea at this point. Check for updates at www.crumblcookies.com.

WaBa Grill Opened Last Month in Camarillo

WaBa Grill opened a mew location in Camarillo last month in the Camarillo Plaza, 1877 E. Daily Drive, Suite G in the former home of Papa John’s.

This fast-serve eatery serves rice bowls, salads and plates with chicken, steak, “WaBa” (chicken and steak), “Plantspired” Steak (made from plants), salmon, shrimp and tofu.

Learn more at www.wabagrill.com or call 805-465-0100. Other locations in Simi Valley, Oxnard, Santa Paula, Ventura and Fillmore.

P. F. Chang's at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks to Close Its Doors on August 28th

Last Wednesday, August 10th, we posted to the CVG Instagram and Facebook pages that we were told by multiple sources that P. F. Chang’s at The Lakes at Thousand Oaks would be closing its doors at close of business on Sunday, August 28th. Today, the VC Star confirmed this.

After the 28th, the nearest locations to the Conejo Valley will be in Woodland Hills and Sherman Oaks.

After the 28th, California Pizza Kitchen and Kalogie Medspa will be the remaining tenants that premiered at The Lakes in 2005. Lassen’s Health Foods also continues to operate there.

At some point in the coming months, a 165 unit apartment complex will be built in a portion of the parking lot behind The Lakes. Learn more at shoplakes.com/residences-at-the-lakes-at-thousand-oaks.

On The Alley Now Open at the Ventura Harbor

On The Alley opened last week at the Ventura Harbor Village, 1559 Spinnaker Drive #100 in Ventura, in the former home of Fratelli’s Pizza. On The Alley is a more casual, sister-venue to Brophy Bros., which is located upstairs.. Serving fresh fish tacos, burgers and salads as well as breakfast (all day), On The Alley is a great place to grab a quick, delicious bite at the Ventura Harbor. Open daily 8am to 8pm.

Learn more at onthealleyventura.com or call 805-413-4367.

A2 Biotherapeutics Secures Long-Term Lease in Agoura Hills

Harbor Associates in joint venture with Platform Ventures, LLC has acquired a 118,906-square-foot commercial office/R&D building in Agoura Hills for $19.275 million.

Harbor also announced the signing of A2 Biotherapeutics (“A2 Bio”) to a long-term, 75,994-square-foot lease at the building located at 30601 Agoura Road, which will serve as A2 Bio’s new global headquarters. A2 Bio has invented the Tmod™ cell therapy platform to tackle the fundamental challenge in solid tumor treatment—the ability of cancer medicines to distinguish between tumor and normal cells. A2 Bio expands its presence in Agoura Hills as it will continue to occupy ~30,000 square feet in neighboring buildings. The new headquarters for A2 Bio will feature approximately 70 percent lab and R&D space with the remaining 30 percent devoted to collaboration space.

The two-story multi-tenant building is located at the eastern gateway of the Conejo Valley, which includes one of Southern California’s major life science clusters. Stretching from northwestern Los Angeles County to southeastern Ventura County which includes Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village and Agoura Hills, the Conejo Valley is home to one of the most significant life science clusters in Southern California. Nearly 70 life and bio science firms such as Amgen, Baxter, Allergan and Takeda currently occupy approximately 4.3 million square feet of space in the Conejo Valley.

“Located at the eastern gateway of the Conejo Valley, Agoura Hills is more convenient than Thousand Oaks for bio tech recruiting talent from the San Fernando Valley, Downtown and West Los Angeles. “We were able to identify a well-located building that was prime for multi-tenant life science conversion while helping A2 Bio meet its business objectives.” said Principal Rich McEvoy.

The 11-year lease with A2 Bio is an example of the demand for space by life science and bio-tech firms across the U.S. According to CBRE, at the end of 2021, office-to-lab conversions in the 12 largest U.S. life sciences markets, which includes Los Angeles, amounted to 9.9 million square feet, up 49% from the beginning of the year.

In January of 2020, Harbor acquired Agoura Hill Business Park, an adjacent 114,325-square-foot office project in Agoura Hills, and made improvements to the building to attract the life science groups expanding into the area, which included A2 Bio. Between 30601 Agoura Road and Agoura Hills Business Park, Harbor Associates is delivering a variety of market ready R&D / lab spaces, ranging in size from 2,000 -18,000 square feet, readymade with appropriate infrastructure and designed to meet the growing demand in Agoura Hills.

A2 Bio, is expected to take occupancy in the second half of 2023. The Harbor-led joint venture will add relevant on-site amenities to create an attractive workplace environment that will help A2 Bio, and others, attract and retain talent. Improvements include an expansive outdoor meeting and social spaces, upgraded building lobby, drought tolerant landscaping, exterior building enhancements and signage.

Jay Rubin and Jared Smits of Lee & Associates advised the seller. Mark Perry of CBRE represented the buyer in the transaction. Rick Pearson of Cushman & Wakefield represented A2 in the lease negotiations.

Denino's Pizzeria & Cafe Opening Soon in Thousand Oaks (UPDATE: April 16, 2023)

UPDATE: We heard on March 15th on the Leone’s Italian Ice’s Instagram page that Denino’s Thousand Oaks will be opening on Sunday, April 9, 2023.

Photo courtesy of Chef Blair (via Instagram).

The Denino's Pizzeria & Cafe sign went up yesterday at 1710 East Thousand Oaks Boulevard, Thousand Oaks (at Erbes). "In Crust We Trust" Opening soon.

Updates at deninosthousandoaks.com

Pick Up Stix Westlake Village Moving to New Location at the Westlake Plaza Later This Month

UPDATE: Now open at the new location.

Pick Up Stix Westlake Village is in the process of relocating from the now closed location at The Shoppes at Westlake Village (across from Guitar Center and Target) to its new location at the former Togo's in the Westlake Plaza at 2761 Agoura Road. The new location is anticipated to open in late August.

www.pickupstix.com