Mayor Bill Dalton’s State of the City Address

1/26/2010 , Garden Grove Mayor Bill Dalton

The City of Garden Grove is feeling the effects of the economic recession. If you combine what the state took from us in 2009 with what they plan to take in 2010, the City of Garden Grove is being stripped of more than $13 million in Property Tax and Redevelopment Tax Increment funds. The “state takes” are coming at a time when the City’s sales and property tax revenues have declined. To deal with the financial hit, the City instituted a three-year financial plan in mid-2008, hoping to ride out the recession, which included an immediate hiring freeze and a cutback in non-essential expenditures. This allowed the City to save $3.5 million during the last fiscal year.

This year the City has continued it’s hiring freeze, along with zero adjustments for all labor unions, a reduction of the General Fund budget by $5.3 million dollars and deferred vehicle and equipment purchases. Despite the economic crisis, the City of Garden Grove continues to push ahead and take proactive steps to get us where we need to be. The City Council hired the Jerde Partnership, a visionary architecture and urban planning firm, to create a master plan for the Brookhurst Triangle site, located at the northeast corner of Brookhurst Street and Garden Grove Boulevard. The 14-acre site could consist of up to 700 units and as much as 200,000 square feet of commercial/office space, including the creation of a small park and an urban trail.

The Redevelopment Agency is still working with the Embassy Suites toward an expansion of their hotel and is also working with McWhinney Enterprises to build a water park hotel, which will make a splash in the International West resort area. The 10.3-acre site for the $300 million dollar attraction taps into Orange County’s huge reservoir of 44-million visitors per year, all looking for a place to cool off. The proposal consists of a 600-room, 10-story hotel and 18,000 square-feet of restaurant space, all connected to a three-acre indoor/outdoor water park. The project offers a unique complement to Southern California’s popular tourist attractions and will generate an estimated 600 new jobs and $5.3 million in tax revenue for the City. Groundbreaking for the new water park hotel could happen as early as 2012.

The Brandywine Development Company has submitted a proposal to develop a portion of the Century Triangle site, across the street from Costco. The 53-units will be a good start in rebounding the housing market. The City obtained over $7 million in federal and state grants for various infrastructure and service enhancements and in December the City Council authorized issuance of $32 million in water bonds to begin the capital improvements necessary to meet the growing infrastructure needs of this community.

In August, construction commenced on the $2.5 million grant funded Buena Clinton Youth and Family Center, which will offer new opportunities to the children and parents living in the Buena Clinton neighborhood. In December, Garden Grove Hyundai moved to the Auto Mall. Hyundai is anticipating increased sales of at least 30%. Property for a new Fire Station #6 was purchased within International West along Harbor Boulevard, bringing the City closer to replacing the 30-year old single-family house that was converted to a station over 20 years ago. The City Council also authorized the purchase of three new red fire engines.

Last year, Valentines Day went to the “dogs” as canine lovers and their “best friends” celebrated the opening of Garden Grove’s first dog park. The “Barking Lot” celebrated its arrival to Garden Grove Park and the canines couldn’t be happier. Another first for the City was the new Community Garden, located at the edge of the Civic Center. Thirty-nine lucky gardeners won an opportunity to be the first to sow their seeds and re-green a vacant lot. An expansion of the garden is on track for spring.

The City of Garden Grove is proud of the accomplishments achieved during this tough budget time and of the services and programs delivered to our community. Big challenges are in store for 2010, but even bigger opportunities lie ahead of us. The City will continue to implement the three-year Financial Plan to get us out of these financially difficult times. Focus will continue on developments, redevelopment and projects that will strengthen the economic viability of our community.

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