Scott Riordan, project manager for the city's economic development department, says the 28-year-old redevelopment agency started considering the project in earnest in the mid-1980s. A former oil town, the process started with a community planning workshop in October 1989 involving city officials, planning professionals, and representatives of various sectors of the city. In September 1991, the agency approved an agreement with the Watt/Craig Joint Venture to develop all three phases of the project: a neighborhood shopping center, single-family homes and a retail element on Birch Street.
In 1997, after completing the Gateway Center shopping center and the Ash Street Cottages, Watt/Craig assigned its rights and obligations to CIM Group of Hollywood to complete the Birch Street retail, entertainment segment of the project, which includes some office space and loft housing. CIM hired four separate architecture firms to design separate parcels.
"The architecture is all very unique. It has the feel as though it's been there for a long time," Riordan says. "The intent was to create an environment that makes it feel like a real downtown. I think that's what we've been able to accomplish."
Over the years the redevelopment agency acquired 165 parcels and relocated 300 households and businesses in an effort that has resulted in the downtown area becoming the 24-hour a day environment where residents can live, work, eat and shop within walking distance.
In addition to acquiring the land, the city also realigned the streets for development. The actual build-out of the Birch Street component started with the Edwards Cinemas 22 screens in two separate buildings that opened in Fall of 1997. Now 98% occupied, with full occupancy expected by this summer, new anchor tenants have moved in like Old Navy and Tower Books and Music.
In all, the nearly completed project now boasts 200 new housing units, 2,200 parking spaces in two city-built parking structures, and 400,000 sf of retail space.
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