As the major access route from I-405 to the beach and downtown, Beach Boulevard is a wide, high volume corridor, and the City’s main commercial route. Despite the importance of this corridor to the function and image of the City, it is visually unappealing and in a state of economic transition. With significant City and Community involvement, FTB prepared the Beach & Edinger Corridors Specific Plan. The Plan will assist the community to more effectively attract investment to the corridor by 1) describing the overall vision for the future corridors and identifying key opportunities for revitalization 2) establishing form based land use and development standards to replace preexisting zoning regulations 3) outlining a program of capital improvements to influence the use and appearance of the public right of way.

Before

·       Primarily conventional commercial strip development along 6.5 miles of Beach Blvd. and Edinger Avenue.

·       Beach Blvd. is a 7 to 9 lane state route with high traffic volumes.

·       Bella Terra Mall located at the confluence of Beach Blvd., Edinger Ave., and I-405 was recently renovated into a lifestyle center.

Assignment

·       Prepare an urban design concept and Specific Plan to revitalize the corridors.

·       Conduct an extensive community participation process.    

Outcomes

·       The project was initiated in 2006.

·       The Planning Commission approved the Plan in January 2010, City Council adopted the Plan in March 2010.

In collaboration with:

Austin Foust Associates, Tierra West Advisors, Linda Congleton LLC, Anderson Illustration