Compiled by Kelly Ryan and Paul Hughes
ANAHEIM
The Planning Commission approved an application by Newport Beach’s Lake Development Group LLC to build a hotel at Harbor Boulevard and Katella Avenue. The $130 million project is planned at 252 rooms and nine floors. The site now is home to a Zaby’s Motor Lodge and two vacant lots. The ground floor of the new hotel is set to include a lobby, restaurant and shops. Architects Orange Inc. worked with KTGY Group Inc. of Irvine to design the project. Plans call for a 21,000-square-foot second-floor pool, a bar and sky lounge on the eighth floor and a large video screen on an exterior wall, visible to guests at the pool. A three-level spa overlooks the pool. The project has 527 parking spaces on the ground and in a parking structure. Huntington Beach-based Broughton Hospitality Group has been hired to manage the hotel, which includes 15 sky lofts that are about 1,500 square feet each in two stories. The hotel is set to open summer 2011.
Woodbridge Homes in Irvine plans to build 70 homes at a110-acre site west of La Pata Avenue and south of San Juan Creek Road. The city gave its final approval a year ago and now is processing architectural, landscape and other plans for the project. The homes range in size from 2,804 to 3,806 square feet and sit on 10,000-square-foot lots. Original plans called for a total of 140 homes. Woodbridge says it will look to sell its remaining land next year rather than build the 70 additional homes. Initial work could begin in about a month and last through the year with models opening early next year.
Quan’s Rockin’ Sushi is no more. The restaurant, better known by for its bar, has been demolished. An Arby’s is set to replace it on the corner of Tustin Street and Adams. Formerly Quan’s Chinese Restaurant, Quan’s Rockin’ Sushi morphed into a nightclub. Its liquor license was revoked in 2007 after numerous late night police incidents. The new owner is a group formed by Todd Matthews, the main guy behind Orange’s AT Management Group, which will run the Arby’s. The eatery will be 2,500 square feet, with another 1,800 square feet for other stores and restaurants. The Planning Commission approved the project in August. Demolition of the old building and site preparation work is in process. The Arby’s is set to open in May. The architect is Jon Califf of Orange. The contractor is Clark Contractors Inc. of Lake Forest.
STANTON
The city plans to build a fire station near Cerritos Avenue and Beach Boulevard. It’s replacing a station built about 40 years ago. The city used to run its own fire department but now contracts with the regional Orange County Fire Authority. The existing station needs upgrades to meet guidelines set forth by the fire authority. Firefighters now block street traffic while backing their engines into the firehouse. The city had to acquire two housing lots and one industrial space for the project. Plans call for a computer server room and storage. The project is estimated at about $5 million. The city hopes to start building by the end of this year with completion coming mid to late 2010.
A city maintenance yard is under construction near Cerritos Avenue and Beach Boulevard. The Stanton Maintenance Yard will have a two-story administration building and a separate warehouse. The yard has several bays for street, roadway and sewer maintenance vehicles and equipment. The project is estimated at about $6 million. It should open May.
ALISO VIEJO
The U.S. Postal Service has decided not to build a 350,000-square-foot regional mail distribution center near Aliso Creek Road and Liberty. The city pushed for alternate locations further from homes after an environmental report was issued last year. City officials claim the report failed to address concerns about traffic and proximity to religious institutions. Postal Service now says it won’t build the facility, partly due to a reduction in mail amid the recession.
If you’re a developer or city planner and would like to see a project featured in Around the County, please contact Kelly Ryan at ryan@ocbj.com or (949) 833-8373. The column covers projects in Orange County’s cities and unincorporated areas, and some projects in Corona. Commercial, housing and retail projects are the focus of the column. Some larger public works projects also are included.
