Cohesiveness and Quality Urged for Brea’s Downtown

Residents have urged developers and city planners to focus on “quality and cohesiveness” in redesigning the city’s downtown.

In a recent three-day workshop at Brea Senior Center, high school students, senior citizens and others worked in eight brainstorming groups, developing ideas and identifying areas to be considered by developers and the City Council. The redevelopment process is expected to begin by the end of the year.

On the work session’s second day, residents suggested everything from installing a cable car system to creating a historical museum.

“Wouldn’t it be exciting to see people wanting to live, not on the other side of the (Orange) Freeway, but downtown?” Brian Saul said in his group’s report. “Maybe we can make that happen.”

In a discussion involving all participants, the three bidding developers were advised to unite the downtown area with the Brea Mall, Brea Marketplace and Brea Civic and Cultural Center.

“We want this city to be the best it ever was,” Jim Hensel said. “We need to enhance and demonstrate the uniqueness of Brea.”

Saul said his group suggested drawing shoppers and pedestrians to the downtown area through an increased focus on “safety, convenience, entertainment, beautiful landscaping and good lighting at night.”