City Backs Request for Partial Street Closures

The city has taken a step toward clearing the way for a major expansion of a recycling plant that could produce 200 new jobs.

A City Council resolution declares Anaheim’s intention to close portions of Blue Gum Street, Coronado Street, La Mesa Street and Gretta Lane permanently to allow additional development at Taormina Industries.

A public hearing on the matter is tentatively set for April 16.

Taormina, which has operated at 1131 N. Blue Gum St. since 1981, owns all the property surrounding the streets to be closed. The closures would not hamper general traffic circulation, according to a city report.

In exchange for Anaheim vacating the streets, Taormina has agreed to invest more than $10 million to expand its facility over the next five years.

Taormina would also work with the city’s job training program to find new employees.

“We’re very pleased with the investment,” said Richard J. Bruckner of the city Community Development Department. Bruckner described Taormina as a “good partner with the city” that has historically “gone out of its way” to hire disabled workers.

In other council action, Anaheim approved an agreement with the city of Orange to construct an underpass at Orangewood Avenue as part of the Santa Ana Freeway widening project.

The pact calls for Anaheim and Orange to pay $385,000 each in construction costs. Most of the money for the $8.3-million project is being provided by the federal government.