Land-Use Compromise Promises Jobs

City and community leaders say the neighborhood around MacArthur Boulevard and the Santa Ana River will have more job opportunities and better streets after a settlement that will reduce the size of a planned bus depot to allow more industry in the area.

Last month, the city agreed to drop a lawsuit over the Orange County Transportation Authority’s plan to build the bus depot, in exchange for about 8.5 acres, $8 million for the widening of Bristol Street and a promise that the authority will train neighborhood residents for depot jobs.

“They’re willing to make jobs for people, so if they make good on their promises, then everything should work out fine,” said Virginia Avila, a 50-year resident of the neighborhood who sits on a board overseeing economic revitalization projects in the area.

“The picture looks good right now,” Avila said. “I’ve been waiting 20 years for [Bristol Street to be widened] all the way to Santa Ana Boulevard.”

The authority bought the former Associated Concrete lot in October in the face of strong opposition from city leaders, who were counting on an industrial development in the area to bring in several hundred jobs and substantial tax revenue. The property lies in a federally designated city empowerment zone, for urban renewal.

Under the terms of the settlement, the authority will limit the depot to 20 acres and the city will use the remainder of the land to attract manufacturing companies, high-tech firms or other industrial businesses that could hire from the area.

Some residents fear that even a downsized bus depot will mean smog and lowered home values.

“It’s great for transportation, but you don’t want to live near one,” resident Harriet Ducot said. “It’s like the people [opposing] the El Toro airport; that’s how I feel about the bus station.”

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Alex Katz can be reached at (714) 966-5977.