Author: Roger Bloom

Then, in August, construction of a new Animal Care Center was finally OK’d to go to bid — four years after the design contract had been approved.

And in November, a pedestrian-and-bicycle overpass at the 5 Freeway — to link the north and south legs of the Jeffrey Open Space Trail — was given the green light to go to bid, also four years after the design had been approved.

What do these long-delayed projects have in common?

Under the preliminary plan, a temporary venue with a capacity of about 6,000 would be installed on the North Lawn Open Space area at the Great Park. The venue would be programmed for concerts in the spring and summer, beginning in 2024. The Pacific Symphony would present a half-dozen of those concerts as the venue’s resident orchestra.

The OCTA project would create a 90,000-square-foot facility at the 21.3-acre site, which straddles an existing rail spur across from the Travata seniors housing tract.

The work at the rail yard — which would occur at night — includes testing the trains’ brakes and emergency brakes; horns and gongs; and public address and intercom systems.

As part of the process, the Council selected the final map that will be implemented if Irvine voters approve the City’s transition to district elections.

After months of citizen-drawn submissions, it came down to two maps: Map 151 and Map 163. The majority of public commenters endorsed Map 151, noting that its districts are more compact, the most contiguous in nature, and are walkable districts with villages kept intact.

Mayor Farrah Khan, along with Councilmembers Larry Agran and Mike Carroll agreed with residents that Map 151 was the most equitable choice. All three voted to support it.

Meanwhile, Councilmembers Tammy Kim and Kathleen Treseder voted against Map 151, saying that Map 163 was better for Asian and Pacific Islander (API) districts and renter-majority districts.