News Summary
The Santa Ana City Council has approved The Village Santa Ana Specific Plan, set to transform a 17.2-acre site into a vibrant urban hub. Featuring up to 1,583 residential units, extensive office space, and retail options, the project prioritizes community access with parks and recreational areas. Estimated over 20 years, it aims to create around 9,000 jobs and includes significant funding for affordable housing, aligning with local development goals. With supporting traffic improvements, this initiative represents a crucial step in addressing housing needs and boosting the local economy.
Santa Ana Approves Major Development Project
The Santa Ana City Council unanimously approved The Village Santa Ana Specific Plan and Development Agreement on September 16. This significant development will transform a 17.2-acre underperforming commercial center located at 1561 W. Sunflower Ave., near the prominent South Coast Plaza shopping area. The project will introduce up to 1,583 new residential units, alongside 300,000 square feet of office space and 80,000 square feet dedicated to retail and dining.
The Village project also prioritizes community access and well-being by incorporating 7.5 acres of publicly accessible parks and recreational areas into its design. The buildings within The Village will range from one to 25 stories high, with a central plaza that will feature a selection of restaurants, shops, and cultural amenities, creating an inviting urban environment for residents and visitors alike.
The construction of The Village will take place in five phases, estimated to span over 20 years, but the timeline for completion will ultimately depend on market conditions. During this period, the development is projected to generate approximately 9,000 construction and permanent jobs for the local economy, providing a substantial boost to economic activity in the area.
Community Benefits and Affordable Housing
The Village project includes substantial community benefit payments totaling $9.3 million, with an additional $7.1 million earmarked for affordable housing funding through in-lieu fees. This focus on affordable housing aligns with the city’s General Plan Update, which was adopted in 2022 and aims to concentrate development near significant commercial corridors and employment centers.
Broader Development Context
Positioned as an urban hub, The Village is expected to address the growing housing and economic needs within Santa Ana. This project is adjacent to the Related Bristol project, a larger 41-acre urban-themed development approved in October 2024 that has an estimated cost of $2.9 billion. The redevelopment of The Village is part of a broader initiative led by the Segerstrom family, known for their ownership of South Coast Plaza and surrounding industrial properties.
As part of the development’s traffic requirements, the city council approved modifications that include two new traffic signals and a protected bike lane route on Bear Street. Furthermore, any future hotel developments on the property will require a conditional use permit, ensuring ongoing community oversight as the project progresses.
Support for Local Workforce
The project has garnered support from the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters, highlighting its anticipated positive impact on local worker health and safety as well as overall community welfare. This endorsement emphasizes the project’s role in not only enhancing the urban landscape but also improving the working conditions and accessibility for construction and service workers within the area.
The Village Santa Ana project represents a crucial step forward in addressing the housing shortage in Santa Ana while enhancing local economic growth. As the project progresses through its multiple phases, it is poised to become a cornerstone of urban innovation, community development, and economic resilience in the region.
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Additional Resources
- OC Register: Intergenerational Housing in Santa Ana
- Wikipedia: Housing in the United States
- OC Business Journal: Santa Ana Approves 1,600 Homes
- Google Search: Santa Ana housing development
- New Santa Ana: Santa Ana City Council Development Vote
- Google Scholar: Urban Development Santa Ana
- OC Register: Mixed-Use Project Approved
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Urban Development
- OC Register: Mixed-Use Project Near South Coast Plaza
- Google News: Santa Ana mixed-use housing
Author: STAFF HERE COSTA MESA 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.
