SOUNDING OFF:Questions arise over proposed Triangle Square changes

In his recent article (“Triangle Square changes planned,” Aug. 11), reporter Michael Miller outlines an ambitious plan by the most recent in a long line of ownership of our municipal white elephant that might finally bring it to profitability after a decade and a half of downward spiral.

As I read Miller’s account, a number of questions popped into my mind. For example, how does the Great Tunnel that Mayor Allan Mansoor and his majority are proposing to bore under Newport Boulevard from the terminus of the 55 Freeway to the Newport Beach city limits to take most of those 100,000 cars each day that pass the intersection of Newport Boulevard and 19th Street underground figure in the plans of the Triangle Square ownership?

Are the businesses they hope to locate in their building going to be dependent on those potential shoppers? If so, is the plan viable without them?

The rendering provided showed no bridge across Newport Boulevard. If bridges were built — similar to the bridges that link South Coast Plaza across Bear Street and Bristol Street — to span both Harbor and Newport Boulevard from Triangle Square to the adjacent shopping areas, it might eliminate concerns about the traffic problems.

What kind of businesses are going to be compatible with the current mix of businesses there? These include three gin mills, one of which apparently has one of the highest calls-for-service rates by the Costa Mesa Police Department.

I find myself wondering just who the residents of the proposed 120 residential units will be? If they are “live/work” units, it seems likely they will be occupied by single persons or childless couples.

No one in their right mind would attempt to raise a family in such a compressed venue, surrounded by three of the busiest streets in Orange County and no place for children to play.

And, are these proposed to be rental units or owner-occupied condos?

The location seems perfect for apartments, except our city leaders say they want to reverse the upside-down renter vs. owner ratio in our city. It will be very interesting to see how this shakes down.

Also, adding 120 residential units — which will likely dump 200-300 trips per day out onto Newport, Harbor and/or 19th Street — will only exacerbate the pending traffic snarl to be created by the nearly-complete 147 units at the 1901 Newport Plaza condo development across the street. What’s the plan for this additional traffic at one of Orange County’s busiest intersections?

Another interesting sidebar of this process will be the position the mayor takes. He and his cronies were highly critical of Mike Scheafer and Bruce Garlich for their position on the aforementioned condo development during the campaign last year. Will they support this project at Triangle Square when they feigned such opposition to a similar development? Or, was all that rhetoric last year pure politics? I’ll bet we can guess the answer to that one.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for a change at Triangle Square to finally make it the thriving entity once anticipated when it was conceived almost 20 years ago. If the new ownership can pull this off, Triangle Square could become the perfect gateway to a revitalized Westside — something most Costa Mesa voters hope for. What remains to be seen is whether our current city leadership is smart enough to figure a way to make this work. Keep your fingers crossed.