Bolsa Avenue Will Be Closed for Tet Festival

The closure of a stretch of Bolsa Avenue in Little Saigon for four days next month during the annual Tet Festival was formally approved by the City Council on Tuesday, despite opposition from a group of local merchants and residents.

The council had previously voted unanimously to co-sponsor the festival, but Councilwoman Margie L. Rice dissented on the street closure, saying the city has not taken enough steps to ensure minimal traffic and parking problems during the festival.

“Have we addressed all the concerns of the residents?” Rice asked. “I don’t think we have. [The plan] leaves some doubts in my mind.”

Tet, the celebration of the lunar new year, is scheduled for Feb. 23-25.

Under the city resolution adopted Tuesday, Bolsa Avenue will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and Tet Festival vehicles between Moran and Bushard streets, starting at 10 a.m. Feb. 22.

Bolsa Avenue will remain closed for three days during the festival and will reopen at noon Feb. 26, after the staff has cleaned the area, according to officials.

During last week’s council meeting, a large group of Little Saigon merchants argued the planned street closure and lack of parking would hurt their businesses.

Also at the meeting were residents from a nearby mobile home park and apartment complex who feared the heavy traffic might prevent access to emergency services.

Councilman Tony Lam, a member of the festival’s organizing committee, said police and planning commissioners have

addressed potential parking and traffic problems, including having shuttle buses to the festival from various parking lots throughout the city.

In addition, Lam said, the Orange County Fire Authority is preparing to send letters to residents of the mobile home park and apartments, assuring them that emergency services will have access to their properties.

“This is the first time in 16 years that we’ve had these kinds of complaints,” Lam said. “But they will be addressed.”