May 2022
Andy's Updates shares news about all aspects of the Anaheim community. Thanks for tuning in!

This month's issue includes:

  • COVID-19 case update
  • Beach Boulevard: momentum builds
  • Big A: plans moving forward

Find more about the city of Anaheim at Anaheim.net.
COVID-19: cases rising
Anaheim and Orange County continue to see rising cases as the omicron BA.2 subvariant drives new infections. 

BA.2, a more catchy version of omicron, makes up more than 90 percent of cases in Orange County.

The trend began on April 1 and so far is bringing steady increases in weekly cases while hospitalizations remain low

During the month of April, Anaheim saw weekly cases increase from 72 to 177, while countywide, cases went up from 806 to 1,722.

We are at a level of new cases comparable to late March, when the original omicron wave was declining from its peak.

Vaccines and testing are still important as we navigate life after the omicron wave. Testing kiosks in Anaheim, with many offering vaccines, are expected to remain open.

For testing locations, visit Anaheim.net/testing. For vaccine locations, visit Anaheim.net/vaccines.
Beach momentum builds
The rebuilding of Beach Boulevard is gaining steam with plans for dining, shopping and neighborhood services at the long-empty corner of Beach and Lincoln Avenue, which is now coming to life with homes and retail as part of Anaheim’s effort to revitalize the heart of west Anaheim.

Pending finalized leases, plans for the 39 Commons retail center call for an In-N-Out Burger, a drive-thru Starbucks, an additional drive-thru restaurant and stores and services.

A long awaited, much requested grocery store is also set for 39 Commons with details on that expected in coming weeks.

The initial retail plan calls for 21,654 square feet of retail space on 5 acres. Most of the restaurants and stores would be along Beach north of Lincoln with a portion facing Lincoln as well.

The plans are set to go before Anaheim’s Planning Commission on Monday. 

If approved, the 39 Commons retail center could start construction in early 2023.

At Beach and Lincoln, construction is underway on Nolin, a community of 65 townhomes with green spaces, a dog park, barbecue areas and a playground.

Models at Nolin opened in April with construction set to wrap up later this year.

The projects are part of Rebuild Beach, our effort to transform 1.5 miles of Beach into an inviting, walkable, livable street with thriving businesses.

The problems of Beach are all too real and include human trafficking and prostitution, drug use and distribution, illegal gambling, transiency, blight and other public safety and quality of life issues.

Redevelopment is happening now and will play out over the next few decades.

In the near term, we are targeting improvement projects including new streetlights and undergrounding of overhead utility lines.

In the meantime, we are addressing daily public safety issues with targeted enforcement, high visibility cameras and by working with residents and businesses.

We are also working with motels to improve operations and working with other businesses to improve the appearance of commercial buildings.
 
You can learn more about our effort to rebuild Beach at Anaheim.net/RebuildBeach.
Big A: stadium plan moves forward
The sale and development of the Angel Stadium of Anaheim site is moving ahead with all the benefits it stands to bring to our city.

On Monday, updated development items go before Anaheim's Planning Commission. That could be followed by City Council consideration of updated sale and development agreements in June.

Anaheim's stadium plan looks to keep Angels Baseball in Anaheim for decades and bring exciting development to underused space around the stadium. With that will come new yearly revenue we'll use for public safety and community services.

The plan is moving forward after a judge in April resoundingly rejected a lawsuit challenging the approval process.

Also last month, Anaheim and California reached an agreement on a dispute over whether the land falls under the state's Surplus Land Act.

With both items resolved favorably for the city, updated agreements for the stadium site sale and development are set to continue through the final stages of city approvals.

To learn more about the stadium site sale, see Anaheim.net/BigA.
More at Anaheim.net