AS EACH STEEL GIRDER is put in place at the new building under construction at 60. S. California, Dan Frederickson's dream for Downtown Ventura comes a little closer to fruition.

Frederickson and his partners -- wife CiCie along with Paul and Natalie Orfalea -- are excited and relieved to have the project finally come together, Frederickson said. Most will remember the Orfaleas and Fredericksons from their association with another very successful Ventura-based enterprise -- Kinko's. Orfalea was the founder and Frederickson was president. The company was sold in 2004 to the FedEx Corporation.

Their latest Ventura enterprise will house more than 20,000 square feet of prime office and retail space. Small businesses will occupy the upper floors and retail space will be leased at the bottom; the top two floors will have ocean views. Frederickson will announce the bottom-floor tenants shortly.

Why a five-story office building Downtown? "It's basically to serve as an example for the type of development that I would like to see Downtown," Frederickson said. "It's for businesses who want to be Downtown and feel the Downtown culture and aesthetic."

Frederickson and his wife also make Downtown their home, as such he's been a big booster of the area and wins high praise from Ventura's Mayor Christy Weir. They are both founders of the Downtown Ventura Organization. "He's just a great guy," Weir said. "Dan has been a really positive influence Downtown. He is bringing Class A office space that will really contribute not only to the architectural beauty of the area but also to the economic vitality by bringing space for high-wage jobs."

As part of the project, a unique partnership was developed between the city and Frederickson. The project needed parking and Frederickson will lease 55-57 spaces for his tenants over a 25-year period from the city. A bridge from his building to the adjacent parking structure is being built. "This is proving to be the first attempt to generate significant revenue to the city for public parking," he said.

WORKING WITH CITY HALL on the project has sometimes been challenging, said Frederickson, who is known for his straightforward and outspoken manner. "The planning process was horrible, with little communication and little support from the Planning Department. It took about five years to get the permit to build," he said. "Some of the time was due to the changing Downtown Plan and modifications to the original design.

"Very simply, the city needs to proactively support and help expedite the development that the community wants."

But, he was careful to add, "Since my building has been approved, the city's been fantastic. Building and Safety have been supportive and very solutions-oriented to the problems that you are faced with when you build in a downtown. The building will be completed on time and on budget in no small part to their help and assistance."

Frederickson is a guy who gets things done. Recognizing the area's issues with the chronically homeless who are often alcoholics, he and his business partners put up the seed money to provide consulting to determine how and if Ventura could develop a "Sober Center." This idea is evolving into a network of Sober Centers around the county.

The busy real estate developer and his partners in OFFCO, LLC are also working on other projects. They own the Alessandro Business Plaza at 101 and Seaward in Ventura and are completing an office/medical park in Osage Beach, Mo. at the Lake of the Ozarks.

If all goes well, construction on the California Street building will be completed by November, Frederickson said. "I hope that the building adds to the continued success of our Downtown."

WHEN I FIRST MET Mark Hartley he was finishing up a phone conversation with country music superstar client LeAnn Rimes while at the same time giving his input at an important civic forum. Since that time I have had the occasion to be impressed many more times with this local entrepreneur.

A music agent and principal in the Fitzgerald Hartley Co. who works with some of the nation's top talent, Hartley could live anywhere he wants, but chose Ventura for its coastal charm. Since putting down roots here, he has also invested heavily in our thriving Downtown. Name a cool building and he has had a hand in transforming it. Even the Star Lounge received a facelift thanks to Hartley.

But it's his latest venture which has everyone talking. We've all been waiting patiently for the Watermark, a three-story dining extravaganza, to open on the corner of Chestnut and Main. It's housed in the historic Groene building.

I recently poked my head in the door to check on the restaurant's progress, as I often do when walking past, and was lucky enough to find Hartley in the house. He offered to give me a tour.

The project has taken longer than expected, Hartley said, because of the difficulties involved in adding a third story and an elevator to the handsome brick-and-tile building. The third level, with its retractable glass ceiling and panoramic views, is called W2O and will be open daily for lunch and late-night drinks and light meals. There's also a private dining room with an ocean view and terrace.

The main dining room, full of historic ambiance, polished marble and comfy banquettes, will specialize in steaks and seafood. The mezzanine level features a lounge area and a separate loft for wine tastings and special events.

THE DAY I VISITED, a special restoration expert was putting the finishing touches on the historic ceiling. "That's Harrison Ford's guy," Hartley explained. "I only have him for a little while."

Hartley has assembled the place a bit like William Randolph Hearst assembled San Simeon, with found pieces shipped from all over the country. And it's full of little touches that are uniquely his -- the jellyfish tanks on the third floor and commissioned works of art such as a painting by a local artist with an inset video of the artist painting it. The building, which once housed a bank, still has its vault. And that's where Hartley's keeping his special liqueurs.

A chef has just been hired and if all goes well, the Watermark and H2O will be open in June and will no doubt be packed with patrons. I can't wait.

In our slowing economy, with construction stalled all over town, it so wonderful to see the work going on in our Downtown. And we are lucky to have citizens like Hartley who love their town enough to invest in its future.