One Broadway Plaza, potentially one of the tallest buildings in OC, is back for community, city input – Orange County Register

A decades-long effort to reshape the skyline of Santa Ana, California, is entering a new phase. One Broadway Plaza, a proposed 37-story mixed-use development, is once again under review by city planning officials, with the latest revisions set to be discussed publicly on Wednesday, January 28th.

A History of Delays

The project’s origins date back to 1999, when it was initially proposed by Mike Harrah, President of Caribou Industries, as a commercial skyscraper. Despite approval by the City Council in 2004, progress stalled for over 20 years. This was due, in part, to challenges from residents and subsequent legal battles.

Community Opposition and Legal Challenges

In 2005, a group calling themselves the Coalition for Accountable Government Ethics challenged the rezoning approved for the property, successfully placing a referendum on the ballot. Voters ultimately approved the measure. The coalition later filed a lawsuit in 2010, alleging that the city had lowered development requirements to facilitate the project’s advancement.

Did You Know? The initial proposal in 1999 was for a commercial skyscraper, but the plan evolved in 2020 to include residential units.

Current Proposal and Concerns

The project has undergone significant changes. In 2020, the City Council approved Harrah’s request to add 415 residential units to the plan, alongside office and commercial space. The current revision, to be discussed on January 28th, proposes increasing the number of housing units to a total of 602, alongside a grocery store and an eight-level parking structure.

Some community members have voiced concerns about the lack of affordable housing units within the development. In lieu of including affordable units, Harrah has reportedly agreed to pay approximately $4.77 million in fees.

Expert Insight: The extended timeline of One Broadway Plaza highlights the complexities of large-scale urban development, where navigating community concerns, legal challenges, and evolving market conditions can significantly impact a project’s trajectory.

What’s Next?

The January 28th meeting, held under the city’s Sunshine Ordinance, will allow Santa Ana residents to share their feedback on the latest proposal. It is possible that the city planning officials will then consider this feedback and potentially approve or request further revisions to the project. A possible next step could involve further environmental reviews or additional public hearings. Ultimately, the future of One Broadway Plaza remains contingent on navigating these processes and addressing community concerns.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will the community meeting take place?

The community meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 28.

Where can I participate in the meeting?

Attendees can participate virtually or in person at Beale’s Texas BBQ, formerly known as Original Mike’s, at 100 S. Main St.

What is being addressed at the meeting?

The meeting will address Harrah’s current project revision, which seeks city approval to add more housing units over office space, bringing the total to 602 residential units.

Given the project’s long and complex history, what role do you think community engagement will play in shaping the final outcome of One Broadway Plaza?