Santa Ana : Firm Gets Public Input on Westdome Proposal

A firm studying the proposed Westdome Arena invited the public Thursday night to voice their concerns over the $35-million project as part of the preparation of a preliminary report that the company is drafting for the city. Judging by the reaction of residents who attended the City Hall meeting, the firm has its work cut out for it.

Phillips, Brandt and Reddick of Irvine will conduct a city-financed, $102,000 study on the impact of the 18,500-seat arena, including traffic and parking, noise, employment and housing, how much extra work will be created for the Police and Fire departments, estimated city revenues and the relocation of Eddie West Field. A final report should be completed in February and the city will hold public hearings some time in March.

After a short presentation at City Hall, the firm’s vice president, Phillip R. Schwartze, and other company officials took questions from the audience. Most of the queries went unanswered Thursday but will be addressed in the report, he said.

Many people expressed concern over the impact of traffic and parking throughout the downtown area, and especially on the Washington Square neighborhood to the north of the proposed site. Plans call for Westdome to be built on the site southwest of Flower Street and Civic Center Drive where Eddie West Field now stands. The stadium would be razed for the Westdome and relocated to a still-to-be selected location in the city for an estimated $7 million. One potential site that has been considered is Centennial Park, southwest of Fairview Street and Edinger Avenue.

About 28 people have attended meetings of a fledgling “Save Our Stadium” group fighting to retain Eddie West Field. Spokesman Bill Druitt said that a petition requesting the City Council to keep the stadium at its present site has drawn about 600 signatures in the first three days of circulation by five volunteers.

Other questions at the meeting included the likelihood of a professional basketball team moving to Santa Ana and whether the arena could be profitable without one; what the city’s liability insurance would be; when colleges and schools could use the facility and at what price, and why other entertainment facilities (such as the Pacific Amphitheatre and the Performing Arts Center) chose to locate in Costa Mesa rather than Santa Ana.

Schwartze was also asked whether his role as mayor of San Juan Capistrano constituted a conflict of interest. “No,” he replied, “because this project isn’t in San Juan Capistrano.”

Inquiries to the consulting firm can be made by calling (714) 261-8820.