City OKs Expansion of Artists Village

Art studios, theaters and live-work spaces will be allowed in more areas of downtown under plans approved this month by the City Council to expand the Artists Village.

The village consists of a small number of private and public buildings near Broadway and 2nd streets, and city officials believe that altering the zoning laws in nearby areas will help expand it.

The existing Artists Village area is bordered by 1st, 3rd and Main streets and Broadway. The council zoned that area for business and arts uses in July 1994 to allow for studios and galleries.

Under plans approved 5 to 2 by the council last week, the village would be expanded two blocks eastward from Main to Spurgeon Street. The other borders would remain the same.

Previously, the area was zoned to prohibit such uses as live-work spaces for artists, according to a city report.

A handful of speakers applauded expanding the village, including local artist Randy Au.

“I pay taxes,” Au told the council, “and I generate money for the city.”

Councilman Ted R. Moreno, a longtime critic of the village, said the city has subsidized the Artists Village in the past and that city resources could be better spent elsewhere.

“You guys are basing your dream on a long shot,” Moreno said. “I’m not willing to gamble the taxpayers’ dollars like [former Orange County Treasurer Tax-Collector] Bob Citron did.”