Andy's Updates shares news about the Anaheim community. Thanks for tuning in!

This month's issue includes:

• COVID-19: end of case reporting
• OCVibe set to remake Honda Center area
• Rebuilding of Beach moves ahead
• On the ballot: Measure J
• Latest from Anaheim Public Utilities

Find more about the city of Anaheim at Anaheim.net.

We have brought an end to our regular reporting of COVID-19 cases in Anaheim and Orange County after nearly three years. 

What began with more than a year of daily case reports, including weekends and holidays, transitioned to weekly reporting when California saw its reopening start in June 2021. 

The end of regular case reporting reflects where we are in the pandemic with testing, treatment options, low hospital rates and our routines largely back to normal.

In recent weeks, the state and county have also reduced their reporting.

Should we see a surge in cases or other need, we will resume reporting for Anaheim.

While we won't be sharing updates on our social media, website or in Andy's Updates, you can still find current data, including for Anaheim, from the Orange County Health Care Agency at OChealthinfo.com.

You can also find testing locations, vaccine information and other resources at Anaheim.net/coronavirus.

Thanks for following along!

The area around Honda Center and the ARTIC transit hub are set to be transformed in the next few years with the approval of OCVibe, a plan for 95 acres of new entertainment, shopping and dining, offices, apartments and open space.

Anaheim's City Council approved the OCVibe plan on Sept. 27. A required second vote is set for Oct. 4. 

The goal of OCVibe is to bring to Honda Center the type of excitement and experiences seen around arenas and stadiums in San Diego, Sacramento, Los Angeles and elsewhere, while being uniquely Anaheim.

The plan calls for a new concert hall, amphitheater, farmers markets, a food hall, craft breweries and rooftop bars.

Offices would mix indoor and outdoor workspaces, and apartment residents would live alongside plazas, paseos and park space.

Estimated at $4 billion, OCVibe is a proposal by Anaheim Ducks owners and Honda Center operators Henry and Susan Samueli.

Development would be privately funded with no city revenue, subsidies or rebates.

We are working with the developer to issue bonds that would be paid by and entirely the responsibility of the OCVibe development team. We could also work with the OCVibe team on federal and state grant applications for parks and roads that would benefit Anaheim.

OCVibe falls under Anaheim’s planning for the Platinum Triangle, the area around Honda Center and Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Our planning calls for a modern, urban village built around sports, entertainment, jobs, public transit and open space.

OCVibe is the type of master planning that stands to bring benefits to Anaheim. 

Road improvements and new parking garages with technology to get people in and out easily are part of the OCVibe plan.

The project’s design itself would also ease traffic that comes with any new development by combing homes near workplaces and entertainment and with better use and integration of ARTIC.

There would also be about 200 affordable apartments onsite or adjacent to the project for households at various levels of annual income.

For residents across our city, OCVibe will bring new entertainment, shopping, dining and outdoor spaces to enjoy.

It also will bring new revenue that will help us fund public safety and community services and city obligations. Yearly hotel, sales and property tax and advertising revenue are estimated at $10 million at about the 10-year mark.

We could see a groundbreaking by year's end with major construction of parking garages in 2023 and significant overall project completion by the 2028 Olympic Games, when Honda Center hosts indoor Olympic volleyball.

You can learn more at Anaheim.net/OCVibe.

Anaheim is buying another Beach Boulevard motel as part of ongoing efforts to rebuild the challenged west Anaheim corridor.

The City Council on Tuesday approved paying $7.6 million to buy the 45-room Anaheim Lodge motel from family holding company Shivam Hotel LLC.

The acquisition is part of Anaheim’s ongoing work to rebuild Beach Boulevard, where the city is addressing human sex trafficking, drug use and distribution, transiency, blight and other issues impacting residents and businesses.

The Anaheim Lodge purchase will be made using state affordable housing funding. The site at 837 S. Beach Blvd. will be assessed for reuse or redevelopment as affordable housing, potentially as part of larger area redevelopment including homes for sale and retail space as well.

This would be Anaheim’s second recent approval of a motel purchase.

On Sept. 13, the City Council approved acquiring the nearby Covered Wagon motel, which the city closed in March for public health and safety concerns and inhumane living conditions.

Anaheim is buying the former 70-room Covered Wagon motel for $6.6 million. Once a sale closes, Anaheim will demolish the shuttered motel to make way for redevelopment as affordable housing with possible homes for sale and retail space.

With the pending Anaheim Lodge and Covered Wagon purchases, Anaheim has bought four motels in the past two decades:

• Silver Moon Motel: acquired by Anaheim in 2001 and demolished by the city in 2002 with the site now in planning for development as affordable housing along with homes for sale and some retail.

• Americana Motel: acquired in 2019 and demolished in 2021; along with Silver Moon site, now in planning for development as affordable housing along with homes for sale and some retail.

Anaheim will relocate any long-term Anaheim Lodge residents to better living conditions and provide supportive services as it has with other acquired or closed motels.

Relocation starts with an assessment to determine if someone is part of a family, a veteran, a victim of domestic abuse or human trafficking or other factors that may open up additional assistance and benefits for them.

Immediate, interim housing is provided at better quality motels owned by Anaheim or where operators are working with the city.

Relocated motel residents are then matched with housing at an Anaheim affordable housing community or nonprofit housing.

In some cases, relocated residents are provided rent vouchers they can use on their own to rent an apartment.

Others may be provided assistance to reunite with family elsewhere.

In other cases, someone may be placed in substance abuse or other treatment before being matched with long-term housing.

Anaheim can also provide help for others at motels who are victims of sex trafficking or struggling with drug abuse.

Anaheim’s planning for Beach Boulevard calls for creating an inviting, walkable, livable street with a strong business community and good quality of life.

You can learn more about what’s happening on Beach Boulevard here.

Anaheim residents and businesses see great benefits from our city’s own water and power utility.

What's even cooler is the chance for a ride in a bucket truck with Anaheim Public Utilities!

On Thursday, Oct. 6, Anaheim Public Utilities will hold an open house during the Downtown Anaheim Farmers Market from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

In addition to getting a bird's eye view of downtown Anaheim, you can also explore educational displays about water and power, meet the people working to keep the lights on and water flowing and get answers to any utility questions you have.  

The open house is part of Anaheim Public Utilities celebration of public power week, an event celebrated nationwide that brings together utility companies and the communities they serve.

The Downtown Anaheim Farmers Market is on Center Street Promenade between Clementine Street and Harbor Boulevard.

Learn more about Anaheim Public Utilities at Anaheim.net/utilities.