Santa Ana Funds Downtown Revitalization

This new funding is part of a broader city-wide effort to enhance infrastructure and stimulate economic activity. Santa Ana's Capital Improvement Program for the 2025-2026 period includes nearly $54 million allocated for street repairs, traffic safety upgrades, and improvements to public facilities. The revitalization of the downtown core is a key component of this larger strategic plan. The infrastructure improvements will complement other ongoing projects in the downtown area, such as the Downtown Flood Reduction and Stormwater Infiltration Project. This recently completed initiative, which won an award from the American Public Works Association, involved installing a new underground stormwater detention system and reconstructing a city-owned parking lot with drought-tolerant landscaping. These efforts are also aligned with the city's "Downtown Santa Ana Complete Streets Plan," which aims to create a more walkable and bike-friendly environment to attract both visitors and residents. The plan includes recommendations for physical changes to streets, sidewalks, and intersections to improve access and mobility for pedestrians and cyclists. The city's focus on downtown revitalization comes after the City Council unanimously voted in early 2023 to dissolve the downtown business improvement district. That decision followed concerns from some local business owners about how the district was managed and whether it equitably served all merchants in the area. This grant-funded project also coincides with other significant private investments in the city. Nearby, the $3-billion "Related Bristol" project is planned to redevelop a 42-acre site with thousands of residential units, commercial space, and a hotel, with construction expected to begin in 2026. The current retail and office landscape in Orange County provides a backdrop for these revitalization efforts. In the first quarter of 2025, the retail vacancy rate in the county dropped to 3.0%, indicating strong consumer demand. However, the office market has seen higher vacancy rates, around 14.2% in the same period, reflecting shifts in work patterns. In January 2026, the Santa Ana City Council approved a separate $3.5 million, three-year agreement to continue the "Downtown Santa Ana Clean & Safe Program." This program, funded by revenue from city-owned parking structures, provides enhanced cleaning, maintenance, and security services throughout the downtown core. The city has a history of seeking and utilizing grant funding for various initiatives. For example, the Public Works Agency recently received funding from the California Natural Resources Agency's Prop 68 Urban Flood Protection program for its downtown stormwater project.