State to unveil new Topanga Lagoon plans May 31 Play

The state of California has some big plans to build a huge lagoon at Topanga Beach — and part of that plan is to relocate or rebuild the PCH bridge, meaning years of construction at the gateway to Malibu.

Precise plans had to be erased because of the Palisades Fire. But there are new plans, and Malibu will get its first look at California State Parks' plans for Topanga Lagoon at a workshop two weeks from Sunday.

The state will unveil its revised plans to build a massive lagoon and coastal wetlands in the area where parking lots and businesses stood before the Palisades Fire ripped through the area.

Several state agencies led by California State Parks and Caltrans had, before the fire, planned a major park project there. But that lagoon construction carefully avoided disrupting historic buildings along the highway — most particularly the Topanga Ranch Motel, a 1920s motor court that was unique in the entire state of California.

The fire vaporized the old motel. The Malibu Feed Bin at the corner of PCH and Topanga Canyon was also eliminated.

We have been hearing reports that the state plans to replace those landmarks with parking lots and a visitor center.

On Sunday, May 31, government agencies will host a public meeting in the San Fernando Valley to reveal their new designs. During the meeting, parks planners will provide updates on efforts related to lagoon restoration, and the Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors Visitor and Emergency Services facilities at Topanga Beach.

Caltrans will be there to reveal how they will replace the 80-year-old bridge — and there has been some talk about rerouting the highway with a gentle curve.

The restoration effort seeks to expand the lagoon's size to 31 acres by removing tons of soil dumped into the lagoon back in the 1940s.

It's going to be a massive meeting, being held over at Pierce College off the 101 freeway in the valley. People from across the Los Angeles region — indeed from across the state — will have an opportunity to share their perspectives and personal connections to Topanga Beach and Lagoon, according to the invite.

It's going to be a huge parks development, right at the main gateway to Malibu. But it is outside Malibu city limits and outside the jurisdiction of the Malibu City Council. Some city council members have asked State Parks to hold briefings in Malibu, but none are scheduled.

Learn more at topangalagoonrestoration.org.