COSTA MESA : New Shopping Center Plans to be Reviewed

Planning commissioners tonight will review the final development plan for the South Coast Boardwalk, a 400,000-square-foot, open-air shopping center between Bear Street, South Coast Drive and the San Diego Freeway.

The $60-million project is expected to be constructed by November and would include a 10-screen movie theater, restaurants and stores.

Some of the tenants expected to set up shop are Best Buy, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Marshalls, Linens ‘N Things and a Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Commissioners plan to review floor plans, study the elevation of two proposed parking structures and look over the landscaping plans being proposed along South Coast Drive.

The preliminary plan was approved last year by the City Council.

The South Coast Boardwalk marks the final phase of the Metro Pointe Retail Center, which is being constructed by Arnel Development Company on 28 acres of land near South Coast Plaza.

In all, the center comprises 1,239,000 square feet of retail and office space.

The property is surrounded by South Coast Drive on the north, Bear Street to the east and the San Diego Freeway to the south.

So far, a four-story and a six-story office buildings have been constructed at the site.

The concept of the South Coast Boardwalk was not included in the original plans of the Metro Pointe Development. The developers, under the original agreement, were to build two more office buildings where the Boardwalk is now being proposed.

But Arnel decided to change course after Dave Ball, the president of Arnel, decided the market for more office space was poor.

The boardwalk, when completed, is expected to bring in $1.4 million in annual sales tax revenues.

The commission meets at 6:30 tonight in City Council chambers, 77 Fair Drive.