Workshop to Assess Disney Project Impact

A City Council workshop Tuesday will focus on the financial impact of the Disneyland Resort project, which would add a second theme park and modernize the Anaheim Convention Center.

According to a city staff report released Friday and based on three new independent financial reports, the city’s tourism area now contributes nearly $11 million a year in tax revenue to support city programs.

Without the expansion, the report says, the revenue generated by the area would decrease gradually to about $10 million in 2005.

The expansion, coupled with other projects already planned in the area, could boost annual revenue to $16 million in 2005, the report states.

The report also indicates that the expansion would create 14,500 jobs in Southern California, about half of them in Anaheim, and boost visitor spending to $730 million by 2006.

Earlier studies have estimated that $550 million will be needed for street, landscaping and utility improvements related to the two projects. City and Walt Disney Co. officials have said in the past that hotel taxes, sales taxes and federal grants would cover most of the costs.

On Tuesday, council members will review the new financial impact reports to prepare for a public hearing Oct. 8 on the financing and development agreements for Disneyland Resort.

Groundbreaking for the $1.4-billion project is scheduled for next year, with work to be completed by 2001. The project is to include a 750-room luxury hotel inside the new 55-acre Disney theme park and a 200,000-square-foot retail, dining and entertainment complex.

“It will be helpful to examine all of the financial studies before final decisions are reached,” Mayor Tom Daly said.

Tuesday’s workshop will be at 3 p.m. in council chambers, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd., followed by council discussion at 5 p.m. Information: (714) 254-5166.