Redevelopment Efforts Shift to Industrial Area

With redevelopment projects in the City Center area completed, city officials said this week that they will focus revitalization efforts in the industrial area.

The 98-acre City Center is in the general area of Slater Avenue and Brookhurst Street. Completed projects are the Civic Center, library and police station, two new hotels, and infrastructure and street improvements.

“We’ve accomplished all of the projects that need to be accomplished for this area,” City Manager Raymond H. Kromer said.

Because of the opportunities that remain in the eastern industrial area, officials are proposing to amend the city’s redevelopment plan, adopted 20 years ago.

The goal would be to eliminate blight and enhance income opportunities in the area bounded by Warner and Ellis avenues, the Santa Ana River, and Ward and Euclid streets.

To draw up the amendments, the City Council has approved a $56,250 contract with Rosenow Spevacek Group Inc. of Santa Ana, which will present a report to the council by year’s end.

Some projects already completed in the 640-acre industrial area include the Price Club Plaza, a portion of the Southpark industrial and commercial center, and infrastructure and street improvements.

Projects being proposed for the area are a car dealership off Ward Street and the San Diego Freeway, and an extension of Newhope Street to ease traffic congestion.