Study of 2 Westdome Sites Postponed : Councilman Says Prime-Location Vote Rules Out Alternatives

A $71,000 study to explore two alternative sites for the proposed Westdome sports and entertainment complex in Santa Ana was postponed Monday by the City Council, a week after council members agreed that property at Civic Center Drive and Flower Street be considered the primary location.

Councilman Dan Young, the only council member last week to vote against a $40-million bond issue to build the project downtown, said the council’s vote essentially ruled out such financing for the other sites.

Therefore, he said, “it makes no sense to spend tax dollars” on more studies.

A bill before Congress would eliminate tax exemptions for such bonds. If the bill fails, the study of alternative sites will resume, since those sites then could be financed, Councilman Wilson Hart said.

One of the sites is northeast of MacArthur Boulevard and Main Street, and another is northwest of MacArthur and Harbor boulevards.

City Manager Robert C. Bobb had begun the alternative studies last week when the council took its vote on the downtown site. He said the information should be available in March, when a final decision on the sports arena is expected, so that the council can “compare apples to apples.”

Newport Beach developer Roy Carver has proposed an office and hotel complex for the site at MacArthur Boulevard and Main Street.

The city has examined his preliminary proposal and returned it for more information, specifically on how the estimated $56-million property would be acquired and whether the city would have to provide any subsidy.

The plan contained a 3.5-acre parcel designated for a sports and entertainment complex, said a city official who asked not to be identified.