ANAHEIM : $7.6 Million OKd to Beautify Area

The City Council this week approved spending $7.6 million over the next five years to help improve the look of the Disneyland area.

The plan provides funding for road and intersection improvements, and earmarks money to study projects such as the proposed people-mover system that would connect the city’s major tourist attractions.

“It’s basically part of our ongoing plans to improve the area,” said Jim Armstrong, deputy city manager.

About $2.3 million will be spent to help and encourage businesses in the area to conform with new guidelines that prohibit spinning signs and that emphasize placement of signs near the ground rather than on towering poles.

Another $1.6 million will go toward the beautification of streets and intersections with trees, shrubbery, benches, signs and other improvements.

About $1.5 million will be used to build and beautify median islands on Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue, and about $1 million will pay for improvements to Harbor Boulevard, Convention Way and Haster Street.

Also, $500,000 will be used to move overhead utility wires underground and an additional $500,000 will be used for miscellaneous projects.

The funds come from bonds purchased after the city raised its transient occupancy tax on hotel rooms from 10% to 11% last year.

When that tax was boosted to help raise funds to build the Anaheim Arena, there was a stipulation that part of the increase go toward improving the tourist area bound by the Santa Ana Freeway, Orangewood Avenue, Walnut Street and Ball Road.