News Summary
Santa Ana city leaders are reviewing a redevelopment proposal for the South Coast Plaza Village shopping center. The project includes the construction of up to 1,583 residential homes, retail, and office spaces aimed at transforming the area. The plan features extensive parks, a central commercial area, and plans for parking facilities. The project is part of a broader initiative to revitalize southern Santa Ana and is set for evaluation by the Planning Commission soon.
Santa Ana – City leaders in Santa Ana are reviewing a significant redevelopment proposal for the aging South Coast Plaza Village shopping center, covering 17.2 acres on the Santa Ana-Costa Mesa border. The plan includes the construction of up to 1,583 residential homes, along with extensive retail and office spaces, aimed at transforming the area into a vibrant urban environment.
The proposed project outlines plans for 80,000 square feet of retail space and 300,000 square feet of office space. Nearly 14 acres are allocated for parks and open spaces, with over 7 acres designated for public access. This ambitious redevelopment plan, known as The Village, is scheduled for evaluation by the city’s Planning Commission at their meeting on Monday, August 11.
Established in 1973, South Coast Plaza Village currently houses long-standing tenants such as Morton’s Steakhouse and Darya Persian Cuisine. The redevelopment would mean the potential demolition of buildings in the current shopping center, located on Sunflower Avenue between Bear Street and South Plaza Drive.
The design of The Village includes a central commercial area where shops and restaurants will reside on the ground floors of residential buildings. The plan also incorporates surface-level parking alongside underground parking structures to accommodate the increased density in the area. Residential units will be organized across seven buildings, with a dedicated office building included in the design. The buildings are proposed to rise no taller than 25 stories.
This redevelopment is part of a larger initiative aimed at revitalizing southern Santa Ana, coupled with the Related Bristol project approved in 2024. The Related Bristol project will transform a 41-acre site of shopping centers and parking lots into a mixed-use development featuring a 250-room hotel, a 200-unit senior care complex, and up to 3,750 residential units.
Both developments emerge from a decision by the City Council in 2022, allowing high-density, mixed-use projects along the South Bristol Street corridor, a vital southern entry point into Santa Ana. This redevelopment effort is a move towards replacing traditional car-centered shopping environments with dynamic “urban villages” that encourage walking, biking, and the use of public transit.
Following the Planning Commission’s review, recommendations will be forwarded to the City Council, which holds the final authority over the project. The first of two City Council hearings for The Village project is tentatively scheduled for September 16. The council’s decisions will involve granting legal permissions, including a development agreement with South Coast Plaza, a subdivision map dividing the project into six lots, and a zoning change pertinent to the project.
Additionally, the council will have to consider overriding a prior determination by the Orange County Airport Land Use Commission, which found the project inconsistent with established land-use regulations concerning the nearby John Wayne Airport.
Developers anticipate that the entire project will unfold in five phases, projecting a timeline of approximately 20 years for completion. This transformation in southern Santa Ana aims to create a more integrated and community-oriented urban landscape that meets the needs of residents and visitors alike.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: South Coast Plaza Village Redevelopment Proposal
- Wikipedia
- NBC Los Angeles: Repurposed Housing
- Google Search: Santa Ana redevelopment
- LA Times: Mixed-Use Projects in Santa Ana
- Encyclopedia Britannica
- OC Business Journal: Santa Ana Development
- Google News: Santa Ana real estate
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
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