The Santa Ana City Council will be conducting a Public Hearing on Monday, at the end of their Council meeting, regarding the proposed amendments to the developer agreement with Mike Harrah, regarding his One Broadway Plaza project.
Click here to read the Public Hearing Agenda. Click here to see the entire City Council agenda for Monday’s meeting.
The Planning Commission approved the proposed amendments at their meeting on June 14, by a 3-2 vote. Acosta and Yrarrazaval opposed. Alderete and Betancourt abstained.
The amendments include:
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I hope the council reminds the developer of the still unpaid price due on the purchase of the entitlements. The street lights, school drop-off, and street improvements.
The seven year payment schedule only has two years left. Then the city will be forced to complete those items and attached those cost to the property for recovery. Or it would be breach of contract and voiding the entitlement compact in full.
That building will be an economic disaster if its built. Its way better for the City to stick to their guns on this one.
I agree, the council needs to keep in mind what a terrible businessman Harrah is, in 1990 he declared bankruptcy (I wonder who and how many he left holding the bag) and in 2006 he sold the old Masonic building to the Scientologists for 6.2 million after spending 11 million renovating it and many years carrying it at a loss. Then it’s deja vu all over again with the OC Pavilion, 22 million investment, 5 years hemorrhaging money, only to sell it for 13 million to OCHSA.
I think Harrah has a penchant for vanity projects and OBP strikes me as the ultimate fat man’s phallic fantasy. In a city rife with unoccupied office space this building will be an unnecessary monstrosity.
Furthermore, what guarantee will the city have that Harrah won’t declare bankruptcy midway through construction, leaving a blighted half-built high-rise in the heart of downtown?
Yes, we need jobs, but like all those ugly and poorly planned apartment buildings approved in the 70’s and 80’s, this poorly planned and unnecessary building could do more damage to our city in the long run, off-setting any short term job creation.
There is no substitute for good planning and smart growth, the question is; will Santa Ana ever learn?
Freud would have a field day with this proposed building…