On Tuesday, May 23, Irvine will witness a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the initiation of the city’s ambitious $1 billion Great Park Framework plan. The plan, approved in July, encompasses approximately 300 acres and aims to introduce 15 new features into the park, including a veterans park and memorial garden, expansive botanical gardens, captivating water features and lakes, and a remarkable 14,000-seat outdoor amphitheater.
The ARDA site, which is close to the Great Park and is situated south of Cadence between Bosque and Agua Chinon, will be demolished and cleaned up as part of the construction’s initial phase. As Irvine gears up for this monumental endeavor, I had the opportunity to speak with Mike Carroll, Chairman of the Great Park Board of Directors and a member of the Irvine City Council. Carroll provided insights into how this project will shape the city’s legacy and how Irvine plans to ensure the continuity of its vision for the future.
Carroll expressed his excitement and deemed the chance to design and build a major metropolitan park as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. He emphasized that this endeavor will propel Irvine to the next level, transforming it into an unparalleled recreational destination in the United States. When the project is finished, Carroll predicted, “what is now a premier recreational destination will become a location that will be unprecedented and unequaled in comparison to any other municipal amenity in the United States.”
While the current leadership has the privilege of overseeing this significant investment in 2023, Carroll acknowledged that new leadership will eventually take charge in Irvine. When asked how they can ensure the preservation of the Great Park framework’s vision and alignment with the city’s master plan in the future, Carroll highlighted Irvine’s commitment to working with the community to uphold the area’s military history. He emphasized the historical significance of the Great Park site, which was once a decommissioned military base and witnessed a significant community battle over its fate.
Carroll reflected on the transformative journey of the Great Park site since the decision was made to convert it into a municipal park. He explained that extensive planning, environmental remediation, and substantial community input have shaped the development process. The needs and desires of the local community have been closely considered to align with the park’s development. Carroll emphasized that the result should reflect the community’s aspirations, withstand the test of time, and remain intact regardless of future city councils.
Echoing Carroll’s sentiments, Kristina Perrigoue, the Public Information Officer for Irvine, emphasized that the vision for the Great Park framework is rooted in community feedback and input. The city has actively engaged with the community since 2005, and they will continue to seek feedback throughout the entire process to ensure the realization of the envisioned park.
Carroll admitted that this process has been challenging for him and other elected officials, but he is eager to introduce new developments that will be recognized on a national scale. “The Great Park has evolved into a premier recreational destination,” he said. Currently [per year], we receive about 2 million unique visitors. It is already twice the size of Central Park in New York City at 1,300 acres. It’s bigger than Golden Gate Park.” Carroll expressed his excitement about the collective efforts of the city council and their intensive planning and design, which will culminate in a $1 billion investment to establish the greatest metropolitan park in the United States.
Regarding funding, the Irvine City Council approved over $455 million in financing for the Great Park Framework Plan in March. The funds will be generated through a series of bond issuances over the next seven years, amounting to approximately $1.2 billion with interest over the next 30 years. The total cost will be divided between the city and developer Heritage Fields, with Irvine assuming a $625 million obligation and Heritage Fields assuming $600 million.
The bonds will be allocated among three areas within the Great Park. Area 6, known as Cadence Park, will receive a $170 million bond for its 220 acres, which currently houses 1,007 single-family residential units and several undeveloped commercial parcels owned by Heritage Fields. Area 7, referred to as the Altair, will receive $220 million for its 252 acres located between Irvine Blvd. and Portola Parkway. Additionally, $65 million will be designated for Area 9, known as Novel Park, covering approximately 44 acres between Interstate 133 and Ridge Valley Parkway.
The groundbreaking ceremony on May 23 will signify the beginning of a transformative journey for Irvine’s Great Park Framework plan. With its commitment to community engagement, preservation of military history, and extensive planning, Irvine aspires to create a lasting and exceptional metropolitan park that will captivate visitors for generations to come.
