Town Center project gets council OK

Jennifer Kho

COSTA MESA -- The City Council on Monday approved the twice-continued

Town Center project.

“I think this is a very unique urban-arts project,” Mayor Libby Cowan

said. “From my perspective, it’s a very exciting project, and I’m looking

forward to the new facilities.”

The project was approved by a unanimous vote and a series of three 4-1

votes, with Councilwoman Karen Robinson dissenting.

The unanimously approved vote related to the Orange County Performing

Arts Center portion of the project.

The 54-acre project has been in the works for months while the city

and developers have struggled to overcome a variety of obstacles.

Chief among the problems was how to ensure the Isamu Noguchi

California Sculpture Garden would remain open to the public for as long

as possible.

The Town Center project will transform South Coast Metro into a

pedestrian-oriented cultural arts district with a new symphony hall,

expanded South Coast Repertory Theater, and an art museum or academy, as

well as restaurants, office space and improved parking.

South Coast Plaza Partners, the Orange County Performing Arts Center

and Commonwealth Partners LLC have collaborated on the project, which is

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

San Diego Freeway.

As they have since the beginning of the planning process, residents

Monday spoke fervently on both sides of the issue.

Supporters said the plans would help the city maintain a healthy

economy and a cohesive culture.

“I think we really have to look beyond the mundane and look at the

opportunity we have,” resident Bob Graham said. “Last week, we had a

‘visioning’ meeting about what kind of city we want to be. What kind of

city would we be if we didn’t want this?”

Opponents expressed concerns about parking, traffic and the project’s

density.

“I’m concerned that the intensity is too dense and could be

precedent-setting,” said Sandy Genis, a former city mayor.

The cumulative effects of the project were not included in the

environmental report, Genis said.

Construction on the project is expected to begin this year and is

scheduled to take at least five years to complete.