RA1967/01/24REDEVELOPMENT AGENCY
January 24, 1967 (7:30 p.m.)
Anaheim Library
PRESENT: Mr. Dutton, Mr. Pebley, Mr. Schutte, and Mr. Krein
ABSENT: Mr. Chandler
PRESENT: CITY ATTORNEY: Joseph Geisler
CITY CLERK: Dene M. Williams
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR: Alan G. Orsborn
ASSISTANT DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DIRECTOR: Robert Mickelson
ZONING SUPERVISOR: Ronald Grudzinski
ASSOCIATE PLANNER: Jack Christofferson
PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR: Thornton E. Piersall
MEMBERS OF THE URBAN RENEWAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE PRESENT:
Mr. Harry I. Horn, Chairman
Mr. Morris Martinet, Jr.
Mr. James L. Morris
Mr. J. W. DeDapper
REPRESENTATIVE OF VICTOR GRUEN ASSOCIATES PRESENT:
Mr. Ralph J. Martin, Project Coordinator
The meeting was called to order by Mr. Krein, who announced that this
was the third public hearing on the Victor Gruen Report and recommend-
ations for the redevelopment of the downtown area. Mr. Krein thanked
those who returned questionnaires, and advised that the questionnaires
that were received were analyzed by Mr. Ralph Martin.
MINUTES
On motion by Mr. Pebley, seconded by Mr. Schutte, minutes of the meet-
ing held November 15, 1966, were approved. MOTION CARRIED.
Mr. Martin briefly summarized the Victor Gruen Report for the benefit
of those who had not attended other meetings, noting the areas in-
volved, and alternatives recommended.
Mr. Bill Walker advised that he favored Urban Renewal, and further no-
ted that the East -West Boulevard terminates at Olive Street. He stated
that there is a need to move traffic from the western residential area
to the northeast area, and asked why South Street wasn't considered,
which could be taken easterly to the Pomona Freeway.
Regarding the green belt, Mr. Walker stated this was attractive to
everyone, however, asked if the redevelopment is to be aacquired by
private enterprise, how the green belt area would be acquired.
Mr. Martin, in answer, stated that there would be no objections to the
widening or improvement of South Street; however, the study was primar-
ily for the core area, or the area north of Santa Ana Street; the new
boulevard is not proposed to terminate at 'Olive Street, but to continue
through, eventually tying in with the Riverside Freeway.
Regarding the public open space, Mr. Martin advised that this would de-
pend on City policy; however, public open space is an attribute to the
community, which is attractive to the investor.
Redevelopment Agency, January 24, 1967 - Continued
(2)
A gentleman from the audience advised that he leases property and has
a small business in the study area which is projected for a parking
lot. He asked what would happen to his, and other small businesses.
Mr. Martin replied that these small businesses would be phased out
and the people compensated accordingly; however, according to the
economists, land in this area will be leasable.
Reference was made to the answer noted on the questionnaires returned
to Mr. Martin, that all seemed generally in favor of taking action in
the downtown area.
Dr. 'Townsend, owner of a commercial building in the study area, ad-
vised of his efforts to maintain the building in order to serve his
tenants. He noted that the area is projected for an office building.
Dr. Townsend stated that his building was paid for, and doubted if he
could afford to demolish it and build a new office building. In his
opinion, some authority must be created so that eminent domain can
be accomplished in cases of disagreement or financial inability to
redevelop according to the plan.
Mr. Krein asked what the property owners in the area expected of the
City.
Mr. Ben Cutter, owner of Lincoln House, reported that he favored the
,..._ overall plan, but would like some indication of the costs involved to
the individual owner, and some indication on how redevelopment could
be financed.
Mr. Krein advised that estimated cost of individually owned properties
would require quite a study.
Mr. Martin referred to page 39 of the report, indicating costs, which
he felt could be used in computing individual costs. He further re-
ported that the mall construction costs in other cities were similar,
and in the neighborhood of $170 to $200 per front foot, pro rated over
the life of the assessment district of an approximate 30 -year period.
Mr. Cutter advised that he was a resident of Pomona, and reported on
the business increase attributable to the new mall.
Mr. Greg Curt asked when West Street Overpass would be accomplished.
Mr. Martin replied that this would be one of the first acts recommend-
ed to the City; that is, to enter into discussions with the State Di-
vision of Highways, not only on the overpass, but the improvement of
the interchange.
Mr. Stan Pawlowski favored the proposed redevelopment. Regarding the
projected mall, Mr. Pawlowski asked what effect the location of the
mall would have on businesses located on the north side of Lincoln
Avenue.
Mr. Martin advised that the location was selected considering the dis-
tances between Broadway and Lincoln Avenue, and because of projected
parking that will give all the businesses the benefit of pedestrian
traffic to and from parking areas.
Mr. Pawlowski stated he did not favor Urban Funds, and felt what was
needed was cooperation from the City, and that the parking lots on the
north side of Lincoln Avenue should be clean, lighted and landscaped.
Redevelopment Agency, January 24, 1967 - Continued
(3)
Further, use of eminent domain should be exercised to remove some of
the blighted buildings in the area. Mr. Pawlowski noted improvements
already made, and felt if the blighted buildings could be removed and
a corporation could be formed, it would attract outside investors,
which, in his opinion, would be better than going into a full -scale
urban renewal program at this time.
Mr. Richard Gay asked the following questions:
1.
Where is
the
proposed new city hall to be located?
2.
Will the
City
agreeto the use of eminent domain?
3.
How will
the
program be supported financially?
4.
Will the
proposed
overpass on West Street be a better design
than
that
of Katella Avenue?
5.
Did the
City
Council ask the people for advice when the con-
struction
of the Stadium and Convention Facility was auth-
orized?
Mr. Krein noted that most of the above questions should be brought be-
fore the City Council, and not the Redevelopment Agency.
Mr. Martin again advised the group of their instructions prior to de-
veloping the recommended plan; that the site for the proposed city hall
was established on South Harbor Boulevard, between the Police Facility
and Main Library; further, it was their feeling that there was suffi-
cient room to expand the city hall operation on the Harbor Boulevard
site and, in addition, the cost to the City and taxpayer will be less
at this site. It was their further opinion that any office building
with the same number of employees would generate the same positive
economic effects as the city hall.
Reference was made to the unanimous action of the City Council designat-
ing the Harbor Boulevard site as the future city hall location. Mr.
Krein wondered what site the people would select if costs were deter-
mined on the present site and also on the Harbor Boulevard location
and the difference was as high as a million dollars.
Mr. Dutton felt that an expression from the people most concerned
should be obtained, and further felt that the Harbor Boulevard site
would not be adequate without land acquisition to the west or east.
Mr. Dutton then asked Mr. Martin what the estimated cost would be for
the Harbor Boulevard site, with the acquisition of necessary addition-
al land, as compared to the present site, extending south to Santa
Ana Street.
Mr. Martin replied that he could not quote an estimate; however, it was
their interpretation of the appraisal report that land values on
-- Lincoln were considerably higher than on the west side of Harbor Boule-
vard. Further, if the City acquired the same number of square footage
and the land values were still consistent with the appraisers' report,
it would seem that the Harbor Boulevard location would be the less ex-
pensive site. Mr. Martin suggested that perhaps the appraisers' report
should be updated.
Mr. J. DeDapper noted that the projected business area could not exist
unless the northeast quadrant is developed.
Mr. Martin briefed the recommended redevelopment of the northeast
quadrant which could accommodate at least two thousand new dwelling
units by 1980, if the total program proceeds.
Redevelopment Agency, January 24, 1967 - Continued
(4)
In answer to Mr. Schutte's question, Mr. Martin related the following
actions that could be taken if the recommended plan were adopted:
1. An assessment district could be formed to construct the mall.
2. The City Engineering Staff could study the alignment of the
overpass and the new boulevard to be included in the long -
range capital improvement program, including acquisition
of necessary properties.
3. Discussion with the State Division of Highways regarding the
upgrading of the West Street overpass.
4. A parking district or parking authority could be formed with
the authority to implement parking recommendations by the
formation of an assessment district.
Mr. Martin reported that the plan could be realized regardless if ac-
complished by Federal Urban Renewal, private enterprise, or use of
eminent domain as granted by State legislation.
At the request of Mr. Schutte, Mr. Martin again explained Federal Ur-
ban Renewal procedure.
Mr. Joe Farber felt that the suggested plan was already antiquated and,
referring to the projected mall, felt there was insufficient parking.
Mr. Farber called attention to the mall in Hawaii and other areas that
were air conditioned, and then asked what assurance the merchants would
have that this would attract people to the downtown area.
Mr. Martin indicated how the proposed mall could be air conditioned and
parking increased, after a showing of good faith on the part of private
enterprise.
Mr. James Townsend stated that he would like to have more information
on assessment districts.
Mr. Martin again explained details of assessment district, and how the
cost is pro rated to the district and paid over a period of years.
Miss Henrietta Baughman representing the Mitchell Trust involving pro-
perty at the northwest corner of Lincoln Avenue and Anaheim Boulevard,
asked how many questionnaires were sent and how many were returned.
Mr. Harry Horn reported that one hundred questionnaires were sent, and
twenty answers received in time to be analyzed.
Miss Baughman advised that she came in from Chicago for thisfinal meet-
ing, and questioned why a new site was considered for a city hall, She
reported that at the present time, the parking lotsof the Library and
Police Facilities were filled to capacity, and in her opinion, the site
i of the city hall should not be changed.
Mr. Bill Walker reported that the new Police Facility was nearly occu-
pied to capacity at the present time. He called attention to the size
of the area projected for the new city hall, and asked how such a small
area could hope to accommodate municipal operations and staff for
another forty years. In his opinion, if the present location was de-
termined to be the site for a new city hall, it would act as a stimu-
lus immediately.
Mr. Norval Ulvestad related the experience of Palo Alto, wherein the
civic center was moved outside the center city, and now they were en-
deavoring to move it back into the core area. Reference was made to
Redevelopment Agency, January 24, 1967 - Continued
( 5)
another city where plans have been completed for another location out-
side the core area, and now the city council is being requested to re-
consider the location. Reference was also made to the City of Arcadia,
which Mr. Ulvestad felt was an excellent example of damage that would
result in moving the civic center outside the principal core area.
Mr. Ulvestad recognized that the Victor Gruen people were informed as
to the location of the proposed city hall. However, the plan, if
adopted, now indicated a fixed location, he thereupon suggested the
plan be accepted as a guideline, but the subject of city hall be left
open so that the Victor Gruen Report would indicate no location of the
city hall, and no conclusions or final commitment.
Mr. Dutton stated that he personally had not determined where the new
city hall should be, and he has tried to secure expressions from the
people involved.
Mr. Gaines, 899 South West Street, advised that he has rental proper-
ty at this location which is in the alignment of one of the proposed
routes (Route A) for the new boulevard and, although he realized that
this would not be accomplished in the immediate future, he presented
a petition to be placed on record, setting forth their position on the
matter.
Mr. Ben Cutter favored the present location of the city hall, and
stated that a start had to be made (in a small way), and suggested
that the plan be adopted and the City Council meet with various
groups to work out problems as they occur.
Mr. Harry Horn noted that this meeting is that of the Redevelopment
Agency, and not the City Council. He reported that the Advisory Com-
mittee had been neutral on the city hall site issue from the beginning
and, as far as the plan was concerned, it could be located at either
place. He stated the Committee has taken into consideration the traf-
fic problem caused by the freeway bisecting the City, which consider-
ation also included traffic movement to and from a city hall. Mr.
Horn noted that at one time the question was asked, if the area be-
tween the Presbyterian Church and Harbor Boulevard was considered for
a possible civic center site.
Miss Baughman asked what would happen if the City Council sparked the
Redevelopment Program by announcing that a new city hall would be
erected at the present location.
Mr. Krein replied that this would have to be determined by the vote of
the people in favor of a bond issue.
Mrs. Vivian Engelbrecht noted that the present city hall had been in
existence for forty years and she wondered how many of the downtown
property owners had improved their properties in that time to warrant
a new city hall. Mrs. Engelbrecht stated that Anaheim now has in ex-
cess of 150,000 people who have an interest in the city hall. Refer-
ence was made to the city -owned land adjacent to the Convention Fa-
cility which could be considered as a possible site.
Arnold Sundali suggested a study be made as to the possible site lo-
cations for a new city hall, and that the study include projected
costs.
Mr. Lewis Herbst, President of the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce, re-
ported that the Chamber has been studying the feasibility of a new
city hall for nearly a year, and will have many facts to be brought
Redevelopment Agency, January 24, 1967 - Continued (6)
before the City Council in the near future. He further reported that
the $3,000,000 bond issue was defeated by a very small margin a few
years ago, and now to construct a new city hall will cost $5,000,000.
In his opinion, a bond issue should be placed before the voters in
the near future, because of the rising cost of construction, in_addi-
tion to the cost resulting from the presently crowded city hall fa-
cility which is reducing efficiency.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Mr. Krein announced that the City
Council will consider all the evidence and written material presented,
and that there was a possibility another meeting may be scheduled.
He thereupon thanked everyone for attending and expressing their
opinions.
ADJOURNMENT Mr. Schutte moved to adjourn. Mr. Pebley seconded the
motion. MOTION CARRIED. (Adjourned 9:35 p.m.)
SIGNED: 2" ��
Se retary, Redevelopment Agency