Huntington Beach : Council Votes Approval of Regional Bus Center

The City Council has given the Orange County Transit District approval to build a 9-story regional bus center and office complex between Golden West College and Huntington Center.

For Huntington Beach’s planned renaissance from an oil-and-surf town that draws tourist dollars haphazardly to a resort business and vacation spot, officials have long sought to find a terminal for buses. There are no local terminals for OCTD, Greyhound and John Wayne Airport shuttle-bus services.

In voting 5 to 2 for the $19-million Golden West Transportation Center, the City Council on Monday night overturned a March decision by the Huntington Beach Planning Commission to reject it. The commissioners rejected the plan by a 4-1 vote--in part because they said the building was too tall for the area and would generate more traffic than surrounding streets could carry.

The bus terminal and office building--similar to one built last fall in downtown Santa Ana--will be built in the next 2 years at 7301 Center Ave., just west of the Beach Boulevard off-ramp to the San Diego Freeway.

OCTD will pay $1.5 million of the cost and Property Ventures, a Newport Beach development firm that is building the center, will pay the balance. Only the Santa Ana bus hub was constructed in this public-private partnership, but OCTD spokeswoman Joanne Curran said the office tower accomplishes two things: the district makes “a nice return” on the building and puts workers close to public transportation.