News Summary
Westminster, California, is forging ahead with plans for a cultural archway in Little Saigon despite funding uncertainties. The city council has formed a committee to oversee the design, while ongoing financial issues necessitate attention. With a commitment to preserving cultural heritage and bolstering local businesses, support from community engagement and new funding initiatives will be crucial for the archway’s realization.
Westminster, California is pressing ahead with plans for a historic archway in the Little Saigon district, despite ongoing uncertainty surrounding funding. The project, initiated in 2023, is designed to enhance the cultural significance of the area, drawing inspiration from similar archways in San Diego’s Little Italy and other historic Chinatowns throughout the United States.
The Westminster City Council has formed an ad-hoc committee to oversee the selection of a consultant for the design and development of the archway, which is being led by Mayor Chi Charlie Nguyen and Councilmember Carlos Manzo. This comes as the city has collaborated with the county on the project for nearly three years.
While the council remains committed to the project, funding issues have cast a shadow over its future. The Orange County Counsel’s Office, led by Supervisor Andrew Do, requested the return of $1 million that was allocated for the project earlier this year. This request followed concerns about cost overestimations, which have now swelled to nearly $2 million—a figure that city officials previously described as a “gross underestimation.”
Initially, Supervisor Do pledged $1 million in discretionary funds in June 2023 for the archway’s construction at the southern entrance of Little Saigon, along with an additional $500,000 for the artwork component of the project. However, after the city indicated it could not contribute further funding, the request for the return of these funds was initiated.
Despite these challenges, Mayor Nguyen has reaffirmed that the archway project is still progressing. However, he has not disclosed whether future funding would still be sourced from the county. Councilmember Manzo has expressed that the funding situation should be addressed internally, advocating for a resolution away from public scrutiny. Conversely, Supervisor Janet Nguyen has shown support for the archway project, albeit also endorsing the return of the requested funds.
Strategically, the plans for the archway include efforts at community engagement and initiatives designed to bolster local business growth. To further support economic development in Little Saigon, Westminster has recently been awarded a $250,000 grant from the State of California’s Jobs First Regional Investment Initiative. This grant will fund the creation of a Little Saigon outreach coordinator position, promote public-private partnerships, and implement marketing strategies aimed at fostering economic growth within the district.
The project’s future is also intertwined with local politics, particularly concerning Councilmember Phan West, who is currently facing a misdemeanor charge related to alleged misuse of her political influence to protect her husband’s vehicle from towing. Phan West entered a misdemeanor diversion program in August 2023, which could result in the dismissal of the charges upon completion of the program. This situation has raised concerns among residents about the potential implications of such a diversion program on maintaining rule of law in the community.
The city’s ongoing commitment to the archway project, coupled with a focused approach to resolving the funding issues, indicates an effort to honor Little Saigon’s cultural heritage while fostering economic development. As the project moves forward, community support and effective funding strategies will be essential to bring the vision of the archway to reality.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- OC Register: Plans for Archway in Westminster
- Wikipedia: Little Saigon
- Orange County Tribune: $250,000 Grant for Little Saigon
- Google Search: Little Saigon Westminster Archway
- OC Register: Supervisor Do Requests Refund for Arch Project
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Arch
- OC Register: Fairview Developmental Center Redevelopment
- Google News: Westminster California Politics
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA WRITER
COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER The COSTA MESA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECostaMesa.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Costa Mesa, Orange County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the OC Fair, Concerts in the Park, and Fish Fry. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Costa Mesa Chamber of Commerce and Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Orange Coast, plus leading businesses in retail, fashion, and technology that power the local economy such as Vans, Experian, and South Coast Plaza. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, HERESanDiego.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
