Town Center poised for approval

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- After months of delay, the 54-acre Town Center expansion

is edging closer to City Council approval.

“I think we’re ready to move forward,” said Councilman Gary Monahan.

“I think this is a very worthwhile project for the city. We’re been in

intense negotiations for quite a while and I believe the majority, if not

all, of the kinks have been worked out. I think it’s time we got the

performing arts center expansion and the Town Center remodel all moving

forward.”

City staff is recommending approval of the project, a collaboration

between South Coast Plaza, the Orange County Performing Arts Center and

Commonwealth Partners LLC.

The proposal includes a pedestrian-oriented cultural arts district

bordered by Bristol Street, Sunflower Avenue, Avenue of the Arts and the

San Diego Freeway.

It also calls for a new symphony hall, expansion of South Coast

Repertory Theater, an art museum or academy, restaurants, an improved

parking area and office space.

South Coast Plaza’s request mainly consists of a glass office building

on the corner of Sunflower Avenue and Bristol Street, said spokesman Paul

Freeman. Construction of the building, if approved by the council, would

begin this year.

The Commonwealth Partners’ part of the project is bordered by Bristol

Street, Anton Boulevard, Avenue of the Arts and the San Diego Freeway and

includes the Isamu Noguchi California Scenario garden.

The garden, along with special paving, furniture and other artwork,

will help provide a sense of unity to the project, said Ken Kay, a

consultant for Commonwealth Partners.

“We’re very excited,” said Phil Schwartze, planning consultant for

Commonwealth Partners. “We’re pleased to have the opportunity to add our

facilities to the already existing facilities there and we’re looking

forward to making the Noguchi garden more publicly accessible. These

things always take time and this took as long as it took, but I think

everybody had ample time to review and to comment.”

Throughout the lengthy process, opponents of the project have

complained about its size and raised concerns about traffic.

The council last continued the project at its Jan. 15 meeting.

Other council members were unavailable for comment by press time.

The City Council also will be reviewing a new massage ordinance and

appointing new commissioners to the city’s parks and planning

commissions.

* FYI:

WHAT: Costa Mesa City Council meeting

WHERE: City Hall, 77 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. today

For more information, call (714) 754-5223.