New Group to Try to Revitalize Downtown

In an effort to spur business in the city’s core, a new group is forming to develop advertising campaigns, plan special events such as concerts and improve the area’s appearance.

The Anaheim Redevelopment Agency, which is coordinating formation of the downtown business association, will hold organizational meetings next week.

Business owners and some city officials have expressed concern about the pace of improvements in downtown Anaheim. Councilman Frank Feldhaus, for instance, has charged that progress is proceeding “way, way too slowly” and has called for the city to aggressively pursue commercial development.

Feldhaus wants to encourage pedestrian activity and attract tourists who visit Disneyland and other Anaheim attractions by bringing in a movie theater or entertainment complex, a hotel, specialty shops and upscale restaurants.

Meetings for the new association will be from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Jan. 30 and 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Jan. 31. Both meetings will be in the Hoyt Conference Center on the second floor of City Hall West, 201 S. Anaheim Blvd.

Information is available from Laura Muna-Landa, project manager with the Anaheim Redevelopment Agency, at: (714) 254-4300, ext. 4835.