RENOVATION OF TRIANGLE SQUARE IN THE WORKS
On Tuesday, August 19, 2008 the Redevelopment Agency will consider a proposal for renovations to Triangle Square. LINK
Our initial reaction to the proposed changes is positive. However, this is based solely on the verbiage in the staff report. We'll try to take a look at the elevations today and update our comments later if the elevations give us a different take on what's being proposed.
We like the fact that the proposed changes will attempt to modernize the center and move it away from some of the dated Spanish Mediterranean architectural features that it now has.
The CM PRESS has always believed that our downtown area should have a more contemporary look. We even tried, unsuccessfully, to get the developer of the 145 unit Condo complex--Pacifica at Newport Plaza--on Bernard Street to go with a more contemporary look instead of trying to tie the project in with existing architecture in the area. LINK
We also like the new color palette for Triangle Square which will have reds, corals, yellows and sandtones.
However, the real problems for Triangle Square are not within the property lines of the center, but are directly related to the fact that beach bound traffic on the 55 Freeway empties out right at the center and creates such a gridlock that many locals try to avoid the area.
If the 55 is ever put underground and if a short stretch of Newport Blvd above the then underground freeway can be reconfigured to be more pedestrian friendly--similar, perhaps, to what is being done in Huntington Beach near Main Street and PCH, then Costa Mesa will have a true downtown that can become a destination location and Triangle Square should prosper.
On Tuesday, August 19, 2008 the Redevelopment Agency will consider a proposal for renovations to Triangle Square. LINK
Our initial reaction to the proposed changes is positive. However, this is based solely on the verbiage in the staff report. We'll try to take a look at the elevations today and update our comments later if the elevations give us a different take on what's being proposed.
We like the fact that the proposed changes will attempt to modernize the center and move it away from some of the dated Spanish Mediterranean architectural features that it now has.
The CM PRESS has always believed that our downtown area should have a more contemporary look. We even tried, unsuccessfully, to get the developer of the 145 unit Condo complex--Pacifica at Newport Plaza--on Bernard Street to go with a more contemporary look instead of trying to tie the project in with existing architecture in the area. LINK
We also like the new color palette for Triangle Square which will have reds, corals, yellows and sandtones.
However, the real problems for Triangle Square are not within the property lines of the center, but are directly related to the fact that beach bound traffic on the 55 Freeway empties out right at the center and creates such a gridlock that many locals try to avoid the area.
If the 55 is ever put underground and if a short stretch of Newport Blvd above the then underground freeway can be reconfigured to be more pedestrian friendly--similar, perhaps, to what is being done in Huntington Beach near Main Street and PCH, then Costa Mesa will have a true downtown that can become a destination location and Triangle Square should prosper.
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Those are our comments. Thanks for reading them.
