Council Will Discuss Changes to Downtown

Hoping to increase amenities downtown, the City Council tonight will consider a revised design plan that calls for adding sidewalks, landscaping, a promenade and a fountain.

The proposed changes are part of a continuing process of updating the plan to adjust to market conditions and community needs, city redevelopment staff members said.

At a September meeting with more than 100 downtown merchants and community members, the focus was on beautification, creating event space and adding family-oriented retail and entertainment.

“The message we were hearing at that session was that people wanted to have a mix of facilities,” said Robert M. Zur Schmiede, redevelopment manager.

At the same time, Zur Schmiede said, the redevelopment staff is exploring ways to develop the vacant parcels downtown.

Permanent improvements proposed--at a cost of about $350,000--are sidewalks and landscaping on West Harbor Place, Anaheim Boulevard and Lemon Street; a fountain at West Harbor and Lemon; and a tree-lined promenade.

Other improvements, costing about $139,000, would be a play area with seating and a parking area. Money for the additions, expected to be in place by next summer, would come from redevelopment funds.

Proposed for a later phase is a 12,000-square-foot pavilion, projected to cost up to $500,000, as a venue for community events.

Zur Schmiede said the improvements would help to draw visitors and shoppers to downtown.

“We think it will provide a place for people to gather and . . . to use the downtown,” he said. “We’re letting people know that Anaheim does have a downtown.”

Today’s meeting is at 5 p.m. in council chambers, 200 S. Anaheim Blvd. Information: (714) 254-5166.