ORANGE COUNTY | Development News

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Los Angeles Times

Anaheim transit project goes retro with streetcars
Anaheim is moving forward with a 3.2-mile trolley car system connecting the city's resorts, stadiums, convention center and regional transit center. But the mayor is concerned about cost.
By Rick Rojas, Los Angeles Times
November 6, 2012, 7:59 p.m.

Orange County's largest city is now moving ahead with plans for a 3.2-mile trolley car system that would connect the city's resort district with its sports stadiums, convention center and regional transit center — an airy, arched structure made of steel — that is taking shape.

These streetcars, however, would be much more sophisticated than the antiquated wooden trolleys of old. Officials described the newer generation of vehicles as sleeker, with low floors and wider doors to be more accessible.

Read More: http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,2350202.story

[saiholmes]

http://www.christmasboatparade.com/

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Orange County Register

Anaheim clears way for resort-area expansion
Amendment streamlines development process in area around Disneyland Resort.
By ERIC CARPENTER / Orange County Register
Published: Dec. 18, 2012 Updated: Dec. 19, 2012 12:22 p.m.

ANAHEIM – The City Council has cleared the way for a large expansion of the Convention Center and streamlined the development process within the Resort District around Disneyland.

The council unanimously approved the amendment to the Anaheim Resort Specific Plan, the planning document that guides development within the 581-acre resort area.

The Tuesday night approval streamlines development standards and would expedite state-mandated environmental reviews that analyze how projects could generate additional traffic, air pollution and noise, among other effects on the environment.

"(The Resort District) has been a major economic engine of the city," Councilwoman Kris Murray said. "We have to look forward. This is the document that allows us to plan for future growth."

The approval clears the way for the Anaheim Convention Center to accommodate up to:

•an additional 400,000 square feet of Convention Center exhibit space

•180,000 more square feet of commercial space, for businesses such as restaurants and retail

•40,000 square feet of additional meeting and ballroom space

•900 hotel rooms on the city's property

The city-owned Convention Center has undergone five major expansions since it opened in 1967. It now has 815,000 square feet of exhibit space, which makes it the largest exhibit facility on the West Coast.

Next month, the Grand Plaza is expected to open – providing an additional 100,000 square feet of outdoor exhibit space.

City officials cited statistics that show there is reason for optimism about growth in the Resort District. Revenue from the city's hotel-bed tax has nearly doubled in 12 years – from $45.4 million in the 1999-2000 fiscal year to $90.4 million.

Read More: http://www.ocregister.com/news/city-...rt-center.html

[saiholmes]

Originally Posted by Los Angeles Times

San Onofre nuclear power plant to be closed permanently
Southern California Edison's move ushers in a new era for energy in the region. The effect on rates isn't yet known.
By Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times
June 7, 2013, 6:47 p.m.

Southern California Edison announced Friday it is permanently shutting down the troubled San Onofre nuclear plant, ending the region's four-decade venture into nuclear energy production.

The decision caps a 16-month debate about San Onofre's future but leaves the utility and state regulators grappling with who will ultimately pay more than $1 billion in costs.

One key question is whether Edison's ratepayers will see their bills increase as a result of either the shutdown or the need to purchase more expensive imported electricity to make up for what was lost from San Onofre.

Edison cited the mounting costs of the outage as the driving reason for retiring the plant.

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la...,3986075.story

[pesto]

Maybe they could offset part of the loss by selling 3 headed fish that glow in the dark to tourists?

Cheap shot.