South Coast Plaza Walkway Completion Expected by Holidays

Changing the face of one of Orange County’s most popular retail areas, a 600-foot bridge will link the two sections of South Coast Plaza, probably in time for this year’s holiday shopping season.

“It will be a landmark,” Costa Mesa City Manager Allan Roeder said of the pedestrian walkway, approved unanimously by the City Council on Monday night. “In addition to being a very nice amenity, it will make an artistic statement,” he said.

Crystal Court opened in 1986 as an extension of South Coast Plaza, but failed to live up to sales projections. The bridge will enable shoppers to visit both sections of the mall without having to drive or wait for traffic to walk across the street. Also, Roeder said, “it will benefit the community by improving safety and allowing us to improve traffic circulation.”

The span, to be sculpted of polished metal, will stretch from South Coast Plaza’s second level on the west side near Macy’s, over a parking structure and Bear Street, and to the third floor of the former Crystal Court, which will now be called South Coast Plaza West.

“We felt that it was an appropriate time to join both halves” of the shopping center, mall spokeswoman Rita Redaelli said. “It will certainly enhance accessibility and convenience for our shoppers. And, with the exquisite design of the bridge, it will be a sight to see in Southern California.”

According to the plan, the slightly curved bridge--designed by architect Kathryn Gustafson for C.J. Segerstrom and Sons, which owns the mall--will be of galvanized steel and perforated stainless steel panels. Ranging from 17 to 19 feet in width, the walkway will be landscaped with planters.

Redaelli would not say how much the privately funded project will cost.

City officials say that they expect construction to begin next month and be completed by December. “We are not anticipating having to close Bear Street,” Roeder said. “Although, there may be times when we have to limit traffic to one lane. That should be very minimal, however.”

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Shopping Connector: The Costa Mesa City Council this week approved plans for a 600-foot pedestrian walkway that will stretch from the third floor of Crystal Court--now renamed South Coast Plaza West--across Bear Street to the main plaza.