Orange County Great Park Plans $61M in Construction Projects

One of the largest development projects in the U.S.

July 9, 2009 – IRVINE, California – Orange County Great Park Board Corporation Chair Larry Agran today delivered his fourth annual State of the Great Park address. While Chair Agran’s comments reviewed the Park’s history, accomplishments, and recent awards, his focus today was more on another Great Park milestone - the upcoming development of 500 acres of the Park. With the funding already in place, the Great Park Board, followed by the City Council, will consider the project beginning in September.

“We are proud to launch a $61 million construction project at the Orange County Great Park,” said Chair Agran. “Over the next few years, we will create a 100-acre Great Park Community Farm, a Sports Park with tournament level soccer fields, the site preparation for a 20-acre lake, cultural terrace, botanical terrace and large performance area. The Orange County Great Park is one of the largest development projects of its kind in the United States. We will be putting thousands of people to work when work is desperately needed.”

“I release my annual report today with distinct pleasure because it demonstrates and confirms the great strides forward in creating, right here in Irvine, in the heart of Orange County, the largest, most compelling metropolitan park built in America in the past 100 years.”

“Last year, attendance exceeded 150,000 people. With the addition of Cirque du Soleil, the Great Park Community Farm and certain features of the Sports Park, plus natural growth in Park attendance, we expect the annual number of Park visitors to reach 300,000.”

The key points of Chair Agran’s message regarding the Park’s next construction steps included:

“The activation of the Great Park Sports Park by constructing tournament-quality soccer fields. Four of the fields should be operational by the end of next year.”

“The 100-acre Great Park Community Farm. The Community Farm will be a working farm to grow food to benefit the general public and provide high-quality produce for individuals and families. The food will stock the Second Harvest Food Bank and Orange County Food Bank.”

“The Lake and Cultural District will undergo extensive terra-forming in 2010 and 2011. It will include the site preparation for a 20-acre lake, cultural terrace, botanical terrace and large performance area. The wildlife corridor will undergo construction at the same time, depending on further agreements with Lennar/Heritage Fields.”

“Beginning with the July 11th anniversary celebration, ‘Growing the Park’ - and throughout the year - tens of thousands of Great Park visitors will see on-the-ground additions and signs of more things to come in the Preview Park. They will enjoy five large, 40-year-old shade-generating elm trees recently transplanted to the Preview Park’s lawn area from the El Toro military property. This tree rescue program will transplant 600 trees. It is part of the most ambitious tree-rescue program under way in the United States ”

“Further renovation of Historic Hangar 244. U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer, who recognized the historical significance of the Hangar, secured $470,000 in federal funds to accelerate the Hangar’s restoration while preserving the military history of El Toro as part of the Great Park.”

“Completing a feasibility study to move forward with the proposed Aviation and Heritage Museum and pushing ahead with step-by-step military acquisitions. Recently, the Great Park acquired two aircraft emblematic of the World War II era aviation training mission that characterized the Marine Corps Air Station at El Toro.”

“Planting the gift of 5,000 Valencia orange trees donated by Joan Havajian and the Great Park Conservancy. This will be the largest planting of orange trees in Orange County in the past 30 years.”

“We are urging President Obama to consider the Great Park for economic stimulus funds. We have ample resources for the 500-acre development plan, but federal funds would enable us to accelerate our construction schedule and put more people to work.”

“There is a strong precedent for federal investment in parks and recreation areas in order to stimulate economic recovery. During the 1930s, thousands of Americans were put to work building and improving California’s great metropolitan parks - San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, Los Angeles’ Griffith Park, and Balboa Park in San Diego.”

“I’ve asked Great Park CEO Mike Ellzey to establish a workers registry to record the name and work history of each and every individual making a significant contribution to the design, construction and initial operation of our Great Park.”

Chair Agran concluded his remarks by saying, “…our job is to remain resolute…to be strong stewards in continuing to move the Great Park forward, forward, forward, even in these very difficult times. Together, we can and we will restore and reshape the landscape of our region, and we will transfigure the history of Orange County for ourselves and for the lasting benefit of generations to come.”

Press Contact:
Craig Reem
Director of Communications & Public Affairs
City of Irvine
(949) 724-6077