The annual State of the City luncheon in Buena Park was presented by City Manager Jim Vanderpool, after a short introduction by West Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Virginia Vaughn and Mayor Miller Oh.
The event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel.
Vanderpool first gave an overview of the City’s finances and then told about the works in action within the city.
The annual State of the City luncheon in Buena Park was presented by City Manager Jim Vanderpool, after a short introduction by West Orange County Regional Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Virginia Vaughn and Mayor Miller Oh.
The event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel.
Vanderpool first gave an overview of the City’s finances and then told about the works in action within the city.
Of major interest and impact is the new construction at the north/east corner of Beach Boulevard and Orangethorpe Avenue named, “The Source at Beach,” which is a 12.5 acre mixed use project. Phase One is 428,000 square-feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment use and there is a planned parking structure for 2,100 cars currently under construction.
Phase Two is a 150-room Hyatt Place Hotel and 60,000 square-feet of office space. Phase Three will be up to 700 units of market-rate residential apartments/condos, and the required parking.
Premier Chevrolet, which has been in town on Auto Row, is now under construction for a new facility slated for grand opening later this year in July at Western and Auto Center Drive.
Village Circle along Knott Avenue near Artesia Boulevard has a renovated center that is nearly complete, some of whose tenants include H-Mart, 85 Degrees Café, The Face Shop, and more, according to Vanderpool.
Many businesses report successfully using the new pilot program E2G2, which is a business licensing system for the City.
“It’s a win-win for businesses and the City as it combines business license software for the City and advertising for businesses; businesses can pay more to advertise on the site including coupons and deals” said Vanderpool. “It’s a local search engine/directory to find local businesses and helps businesses, non-profits, and government support each other through a neighborhood network – shop local concept,” he explained.
AECOM is the Beach Boulevard Streetscape Master Plan, which is a multi-million dollar project approved by City Council in August of 2013 that includes streetscape, landscape, and right-of-way improvements, along with branding icons for the corridor.
Construction is set to begin in the summer and will take six-to-10 months to complete.
Knott’s Berry Farm, in the heart of Buena Park’s Entertainment Corridor is working on a complete Calico Mine Ride restoration, set to open this summer. The ride is the first major attraction and theme park icon – designed by the late Bud Hurlbut.
It’s planned as an all-encompassing refurbishment with state-of-the art animatronics and enhanced scenery similar to the recently revamped Log Ride, also designed and built by Hurlbut.
At the former Movieland Wax Museum site on Beach Boulevard is the Titanic/Bodies display, which opened last August and now will have a new Titanic Dinner Experience set to open soon.
The Pirates Dinner Adventure will have the new addition of a “Pirate’s Tavern,” with an adult-themed-cabaret live dinner show; it’s set to be completed by the end of the year.
And there are other new restaurants planned in town; they include:
Smashburger – opening this summer.
Odori Sushi – all-you-can eat sushi.
The historic Tice House is opening mid-May its menu will feature a full breakfast menu, sandwiches, salads and pizzas
The Black Bear Diner will replace the former Hof’s Hut at Knott and Orangethorpe; it’s scheduled to open in the summer. That menu will include a full breakfast, lunch and dinner including omelets, pancakes, salads, burgers, steak, ribs, and desserts.
And there’s more: Chipotle, The Pizza Studio, The Habit Burger Grill, Jersey Mike’s Subs, Olive Garden, Mr. 6, which is an all you can eat table top grill.
For those who remember the infamous “Farrell’sIce Cream Parlours”from the 1960s, they’re back and will be located at the north/east corner of Stanton Avenue and Beach Boulevard, at the former Carrols Restaurant location; they are scheduled to open this month.
Walter D. Ehlers Recreation Center will have a new “Ehlers Plaza” that has been renovated ant will accommodate not only the outdoor summer theater presentation, but other events such as wedding receptions and banquets.
“Improvements will include new restrooms, a shade structure, hardscape, landscape, irrigation, electrical and plumbing,” Vanderpool said.
The Senior Center recently underwent a complete renovation, which included replacing lighting and ceilings; covering masonry walls in the multi-purpose room, walls, lobby, and hallway; floor tiles were replace; bathroom fixtures; an upgrade fire alarm system; and upgraded door hardware for ADA compliance.
“This was a $1.05 million dollar project, CDBG contributing $1 million,” Vanderpool said.
Also at the Senior Center, in the back by the Veterans Memorial, there will be an additional Buena Park Veteran’s name added; that is the name of fallen Army hero Cpl. Daniel Herrell who was killed Oct. 13, 1967, in the Quang Tin Province of Vietnam, while attempting to rescue eight fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.
Herrell attended Buena Park elementary schools and Buena Park High School.
WWII Medal of Honor recipient Walter D. Ehlers now has a United States Postal stamp in his honor, along with eight other recipients; Ehlers’ picture and the medal of honor award are pictured on the sheet of stamps.
Other City improvements include the Jamboree Housing, which held its grand opening in August of last year. It’s four-stories high with covered parking and has 70 units of work-force housing, featuring a state-of-the-art green deck on top of the covered parking.
