Landscaping Plan Set for Council Vote

The city Redevelopment Agency is recommending a $500,000 landscaping plan for the Civic Center area that would create a palm tree-lined footpath linking West Harbor Place with Center Street.

The proposal, which the City Council will consider today, would involve planting a row of palm trees on the east side of Anaheim Boulevard in front of City Hall.

City staff members are requesting that action be postponed, however, on additional landscaping improvements considered earlier, among them reconstructing the concrete areas and steps in front of City Hall and adding a fountain.

The project as originally proposed would have cost $1.2 million, a sum that drew protest from Councilman Bob Zemel. He argued that city funds would be better spent on the new Downtown Community Center than on the beautification project.

Construction of the community center is to begin in September and completed within a year. The $8-million first phase on Philadelphia Street between Center Street and Broadway will have a gymnasium, an arts center and space for senior activities.

The council meets at 5 p.m. today at City Hall, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Preceding the meeting will be a 3 p.m. workshop on a proposed expansion and face lift for the Anaheim Convention Center.