South Coast Plaza remains an economic rock for Costa Mesa

Ed Fawcett

Even when many parts of the country are suffering the effects of a

weak economy, South Coast Plaza continues to set new records and

provide for this community.

During the fourth quarter of 2002 alone, South Coast Plaza

contributed $3.5 million in sales tax revenue to the City of Costa

Mesa, outshining all other major shopping destinations in Orange

County. In fact, recently released sales figures pointed out the

distance between South Coast Plaza and other major retail centers in

the county.

Costa Mesa’s general fund received more tax revenue in the fourth

quarter of 2002 just from South Coast Plaza than the combined

contribution from the three largest shopping centers in the cities of

Newport Beach, Westminster and Mission Viejo. Even more dramatic is

the fact that South Coast Plaza’s taxable sales in that quarter were

greater than the entire taxable sales revenue of 19 cities of the 34

cities in Orange County.

There is no question about it, South Coast Plaza has been the

single largest economic engine propelling the City of Costa Mesa. On

a yearly basis, Costa Mesa receives about $10 million from sales tax

revenues due to South Coast Plaza’s success. That represents about

$250 per Costa Mesa household in city services every year. When you

think of if in this way, each household receives a tax break every

single year in services for which they might otherwise have to pay.

* EDITOR’S NOTE: Ed Fawcett is the president of the Costa Mesa

Chamber of Commerce.