BUENA PARK : Developer Selected for Retail Center

TRF Development Corp. of Irvine won unanimous approval from the City Council this week to develop a $40-million retail center along the Santa Ana Freeway.

The single-story, 277,000-square-foot commercial complex--dubbed the Buena Park Faire--will be located on Manchester Boulevard and the Santa Ana Freeway, also taking in portions of Artesia and Western avenues.

The proposed project will occupy more than 25 acres. Initial plans call for four major commercial tenants to anchor the center. A well-known hotel chain and two restaurants, as well as several smaller stores, are also included.

“We look forward to this,” said Mayor Donald L. Bone at Monday night’s council meeting. “It is a major project.”

Once completed, it is estimated that the center will generate more than $1 million for the city each year in taxes. It also will create as many as 300 jobs, said TRF President Hank Gordon.

He cautioned the council that the design will take many forms during the next few months as retailers are chosen. However, the architectural style now being considered is contemporary, with bright colors and neon lighting.

The location was chosen because it will give the retailers high visibility, said Gus Duran, acting director of redevelopment. Thirteen homes and six rental units in that part of town, which has been considered “blighted,” will be displaced by the project.

An estimated date for completion of the center has not been announced. However, construction could begin as early as October, Duran said.