A say in future economy

As city leaders consider how to integrate two massive mixed-use projects into the fabric of downtown Huntington Beach, the public too can get involved in the future of the area. Meetings are being held over the next year to provide a blueprint for all of downtown, and those with a stake in the area are being encouraged to put in their two cents.

One big issue is the Pacific City and Strand developments, scheduled to open on opposite sides of Main Street in the next few years, which promise to remake downtown. Officials hope to make the transition as smooth as possible.

One panel watched by many at a recent Chamber of Commerce conference was that on economic development, in which company representatives discussed some highly anticipated projects expected to remake downtown over the next few years.

Developers didn’t lay out anything surprising to city staff, but they provided an overview of some projects with a high expected impact, said city Economic Development Director Stanley Smalewitz.

“The idea is to give the greater Chamber rather than the usual core participants some insights into what’s happening in our local economy,” he said. “It’s a chance to bring them into contact with the developers that are actually doing the work.”

It was a reminder that businesses are closely watching two developments expected to transform the downtown landscape: the mixed-use Strand project north of Main Street, which combines 100,000 square feet of commercial and retail space with the boutique Shorebreak Hotel; and the massive 31-acre Pacific City development at First Street and Pacific Coast Highway, expected to ultimately combine everything from shops, restaurants and entertainment to a resort and spa, office space and condominiums.

The Strand, a project of Los Angeles-based developer CIM Group, is scheduled to open this summer. Some of the retailers and restaurants already signed up with leases include Forever 21, Johnny Rockets, CVS Pharmacy, Rip Curl, Ra Sushi and upscale ice cream shop New Zealand Natural, according to CIM Group promotional materials.

Pacific City, on land owned by developer Makar Properties, has further to go and is expected to open in 2009. Some residential elements may take longer than that, Smalewitz said.

But its sheer size — 161,000 square feet of retail and restaurants are just one part of it — will remake a till-then quiet side of downtown.

One way businesses and residents can help get some input into how those developments fit into the larger downtown is through the Downtown Specific Plan, a blueprint for everything from commercial development to parking and traffic accommodations that is being updated over the next year.

The first public meeting to help develop that plan took place Nov. 27. The next meeting is scheduled for some time in February.

More information is available by calling Paul DaVeiga, a project manager for the city’s Economic Development department, at (714) 536-5544.

The big concern for those two large projects is making sure residents and tourists have easy connections between them and the greater downtown area, DaVeiga said.

With the greater number of hotel beds and attractions for tourists coming to the area, the balance between their needs and those of locals becomes a major issue as well, he added.

“What’s the best connections from Pacific City into downtown, for bikes, pedestrians, cars and other transportation?” he asked. “And how do we make Main Street function as somewhat of an amenity to tourists who stay in our hotels, and still have a function for residents? There’s definitely some competing interests here.”

After a series of public meetings, city government officials should have a final version to vote on by the end of 2008, he said.