Dana Point Harbor merchants and boaters let out a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday, July 17, as a more-than-20-year-old plan to renovate Dana Point Harbor moved closer to reality.

The Orange County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a master lease agreement with Dana Point Harbor Partners to finalize the details to begin a $330 million renovation of the 47-year-old harbor.

With the OK, the development group will have a 90- to 120-day option period in which to take a deeper dive into the project and make adjustments to the 66-year lease.

The board also voted to go forward on a second lease agreement in which the county will pay $20 million for the harbor’s dry boat storage.

“The harbor is over 47 years old,” said Supervisor Lisa Bartlett, who oversees the 5th District and served on the Dana Point City Council for eight years. “We’re tired of using Band-Aids. Now is the time to move forward.” [Read the full article here.]