A 115-acre entertainment, office and residential development anchored by the Honda Center called the "OC Vibe" is "coming to Anaheim’s Platinum Triangle, with the first phase expected to open in 2024," according to Alicia Robinson of the ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. The project, rolled out this week by a team working for Ducks Owners Henry and Susan Samueli, was "three years in the making" and went public just as Angels Owner Arte Moreno "outlined similar plans for the 153-acre Angel Stadium property he’s buying from the city." The Samuelis’ project is "branded as ocV!BE" and would "include a new 6,000-seat concert hall and several smaller club-like venues, a food hall and stand-alone restaurants providing more than 30 places to eat, and 30 acres of public parks and plazas." OC Vibe is "expected to offer two hotels with about 650 total rooms, a 2,800-unit residential portion with 15% of units classified as affordable, and 825,000 square feet of offices." It also will feature over 8,700 parking spots -- "more than twice the current surface parking at the Honda Center -- in garages spread around the site." The project "will be built in phases with the earliest opening" in '24 and the overall development "expected to be ready in time" for the '28 L.A. Games, when the Honda Center will host the volleyball competition (ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, 6/25).
HONDA CENTER UPGRADES: In L.A., Bill Shaikin reports the Honda Center under the project "would be enhanced with a grand entrance plaza that could be used for watch parties or holiday ice skating" as well as a "redesigned Katella Avenue off-ramp from the 57 Freeway that will lead directly into the Angel Stadium parking area, or into one of the Honda Center parking structures." The project's master planner and former Irvice Company Community Development President Dan Young said that the Samuelis plan to "maintain sole ownership of the project and finance its estimated" $3B cost and that they "would not seek to tap the city’s general fund or ask for hotel tax rebates but could pursue government funding reserved for parks, transportation or infrastructure improvements." Anaheim Arena Management President & CEO and Ducks Exec VP & COO Tim Ryan said that the Samuelis "would continue to invest in the arena as well" (L.A. TIMES, 6/25).
POSITIVE OUTLOOK: THE ATHLETIC's Eric Stephens reported the project currently is at "rendering stage," as an architectural firm and construction company still "must be selected." Environmental reviews also "must be conducted" and there "will be constant coordination with the city of Anaheim." But the "obstacles to reality appear to be few at first glance" (THEATHLETIC.com, 6/24).
