Compiled by Kelly Ryan and Paul Hughes
BREA
Detroit-based real estate developer and investor Bosc Equities LLC plans to demolish three buildings and build two new ones at Brea Plaza, a shopping center on Imperial Highway near the Orange (57) Freeway. The project stands to add 11,200 square feet, plus an expanded parking lot, renovated facades, landscaping and signs. Work is on hold for now because the city needs to issue municipal bonds to fund related work on a flood channel. Bosc Chief Executive Waad Nadhir said he hopes the delay will lift in a few months as the market for government bonds improves. Brea Plaza has a Denny’s, Buca di Beppo, Lucille’s BBQ, Rite Aid and a Borders Books & Music, plus smaller shops. The Borders building is set to be extended. A building that used to house an Al and Ed’s Autosound will go. Bosc is negotiating with possible tenants for the new buildings. The architect is Architects Orange. The general contractor is Anaheim’s Lyle Parks Jr. Inc.
Two churches are expanding. First up is Downtown Chapel Brea near Imperial Highway and Brea Boulevard. The church plans to start on an approved 28,560-square-foot building in May. Plans call for a basement, main level and partial second story with balcony. The church plans to hold off on finishing the basement until a tenant moves in, according to project manager Dennis Jones. The building is set to include a church sanctuary, kitchen, classrooms, offices, a multipurpose room and storage. A general contractor hasn’t been hired yet. The architect is Combs & Miguel of Valencia. The project’s cost is estimated at $2.5 million to $3 million. Nearby, Christ Lutheran Church, at 820 W. Imperial Highway, is raising $1.8 million to $2.8 million for a 13,550-square-foot family life center, fellowship hall and kitchen, plus gym facilities for basketball and volleyball. An existing 2,250-square-foot building will be razed. A general contractor hasn’t been hired yet. The architect is Crane Architectural Group in Fullerton.
ORANGE
A small retail building is under construction near Taft Avenue and Glassell Street. The project is between two convenience stores and a hobby shop. The Irvine office of Sperry Van Ness is marketing the 2,600-square-foot building, which is being built with wood framing and concrete. The owner originally bought the lot a few years back when he planned to put up a building on speculation of landing a tenant. Now he plans to pace construction until he signs a tenant. The building is designed for retail, office or general industrial use. There isn’t enough parking available to meet city requirements for a restaurant.
Orange Lutheran High School is planning to add classrooms and to remodel buildings on its campus just north of East Taft Avenue and North Santiago Boulevard. This should be the sixth and final phase of building for a major plan that was approved in 1999. The project aims to enhance the campus, rather than expand enrollment. The school has about 1,150 students. The project consists of 35,500 square feet of construction, including several classrooms. Most of the facilities that will undergo remodeling were built in 1973. The construction will include a sports court, additional parking spaces, new locker rooms, new athletic offices, and a multipurpose room. Right now, the school is trying to finish up fundraising. It has pledges for $10.5 million toward a $13 million goal. Construction will last about 18 months. Architects Orange is the designer. The school is set to take bids from contractors once it closes its fundraising gap.
WESTMINSTER
The city is building a Police Department headquarters on Westminster Boulevard near Beach Boulevard. The building is going up next to the City Hall. Construction crews will start work in June by tearing up a parking lot. A 650-vehicle parking structure is planned for the entire Civic Center, which includes a senior center and a Superior Courthouse. The 92,000-square-foot police building is about twice as large as the existing one, with increased space for evidence storage, emergency operations and a forensics lab. Construction is expected to last
two years from groundbreaking. Griffin Structures Inc. is set to build the headquarters for $54 million. The city sold bonds to finance construction.
