The City of Anaheim has launched a new development agreement that is intended to attract investment and development to the Beach Blvd. corridor. The initiative will bring retail, restaurants and home communities to a 1.5-mile stretch of Beach Blvd. through the sale or lease of city land. The initiative includes flexible development rules and regulations and for development and redevelopment.

“This agreement is designed to get this long-awaited project moving as soon as possible and was led by our Mayor, Harry Sidhu,” Mike Lyster of the City of Anaheim, tells GlobeSt.com. “Once planned as a power center with big boxes, this agreement will bring a mix of townhomes, stores, restaurants and other businesses. The project will add new residents who’ll help support the businesses of 39 Commons. We expect to see plans move forward with the city in coming weeks and construction in 2020.”

Beach Blvd. is ripe for revitalization, particularly because of new flexible zoning regulations that allow for new uses and recent seed investments from the city. In total, the new plan could bring 3,651 to 5,128 new homes to the market and increase allowable retail, dining and commercial development by 907,000 square feet. “Beach is prime for redevelopment with new flexible zoning, seed investments by the city and successful redevelopment in neighboring Buena Park,” says Lyster. “Beach has challenges—outdated motels, strip malls and other blight. But as is often the case in developed markets, opportunity rises from challenge. The zoning we’ve put in place sets the stage for a walkable street of homes, shops and other businesses along with community spaces. We have the opportunity to create the kind of redevelopment success we’ve seen in downtown Anaheim and in cities across Southern California.”