Efforts to fund a new public hiking space in the hills overlooking Pismo Beach may soon have an unexpected source of money.
SLOCOG, the San Luis Obispo Council of Governments had set aside money for upgrades to the Pirate's Cove area. However, the California Coastal Commission only approved a small portion of the proposed improvements leaving an estimated $175,000 on the table for another project.
The council's Jessica Berry says the decision will be made next week, and she understands time is of the essence for the Land Conservancy of San Luis Obispo County's Pismo Preserve effort.
"It's a very flexible fund source, it's the most flexible fund source that SLOCOG has, we actually have the money in our account, so it's easy for us to get it to them," said Berry. "You know, the 12 million that is their target, it includes the improvements that we would help fund."
Berry says the SLOCOG money is slated for a transportation element, so if the funding is approved it would likely go toward entrance and parking infrastructure.
The conservancy needs to have its funding for the land complete by mid-to-late August in order to meet the seller's requirements.