Q: WHAT IS THE REDEVELOPMENT PROJECT AREA?
A: A Project Area is the area within which actual redevelopment will take place. The City of Lake Forest has one Redevelopment Project Area that is an 856-acre portion of the City designated by the County in 1988. The Project Area is bound roughly by Interstate 5 freeway on the west, Los Alisos Boulevard on the south, Trabuco Road on the east and the northern property lines of the commercial property along El Toro Road. The City is responsible for making public improvements, adopting and implementing new design guidelines and removing obstacles to private investment. The special designation as a “Project Area,” provides the City with additional tools as described in the California Community Redevelopment Law to work with property owners and businesses in revitalizing the area.
Q: WHAT IS THE ARBOR ON EL TORO?
A: A name and logo were created for the planned revitalized commercial and shopping district that extends along El Toro Road from the Interstate 5 Freeway to Muirlands Boulevard in this Project Area. The name, "The Arbor on El Toro," emphasizes the City's rich agricultural history. The Craftsman’s style was established as the central architectural theme throughout the area for all new development and landscaping improvements. In September 2004, the City began its largest capital improvement project to date to reduce traffic congestion and revitalize this important area of Lake Forest. Completed in winter 2006, the El Toro Road Traffic and Landscape Improvement Project features additional traffic lanes, major improvements at intersections, coordinated traffic signals, new landscaping and better access to shopping centers. Private redevelopment of the shopping centers on El Toro Road will be enhanced by the new roadway and bring shops that will range from bistros and bookstores to large retail anchors, providing a wide variety of shopping opportunities.
Q: ARE ALL OF THE SHOPPING CENTERS ALONG EL TORO ROAD GOING TO BE REFURBISHED?
A: Since the centers are privately owned, any improvements require action by the owners. Both the Orchard at Saddleback center and the Home Depot Office/Retail center serve as examples of improvements initiated by the owners and developers of the sites. Once initiative has been taken, the City can assist in successful refurbishment through application of the El Toro Redevelopment Project Area Design Guidelines. The Design Guidelines were created with community input, adopted by the City Council and are applicable to all new construction within the El Toro Redevelopment Project Area. For a copy of the Design Guidelines, please access the “Reports & Documents” section of the website at www.thearbor.info
Q: WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS ON THE NEW ORCHARD AT SADDLEBACK SHOPPING CENTER?
A: Renovation of the former Saddleback Valley Plaza began in December 2004. WESTRUST, one of California’s leading retail developers, now owns the entire site and has transformed it into a premier shopping destination called “The Orchard at Saddleback.” This new 279,000 square foot center incorporates the Craftsman’s style of architecture and includes a central “Main Street with large areas dedicated to plazas and gathering places. The first phase of new buildings opened during the fall of 2005 with tenants that included Petsmart, Shoe Pavilion, and Home Goods. Phase II construction began in February 2006 and was completed by 2007. The premiere center is now a cornerstone feature in The Arbor. Phase II brought a variety of dining, shopping, and service venues. It furthered the success of Phase I with shops that are home to Ralph’s, Lucille’s Smokehouse BBQ, Carino’s Italian Grill, Boneheads, Pier 1, and the “Main Street Stores.” WESTRUST has released a full list of businesses that have already opened in the new center. 
Q: WHAT IS THE CURRENT STATUS ON THE HOME DEPOT PROJECT AT THE FORMER K-MART SITE?
A: The first phase in demolition of the former K-Mart building began on March 10, 2005, with the adjacent buildings demolished in November 2005. Final grading was completed in spring 2006 with new construction of the Home Depot Office/Retail center starting in May 2006. Construction of the Home Depot Office/Retail center, featuring Craftsman-style elements was completed in 2006. The Buchheim family, who owns this 15-acre site and their development partner, Greg McClelland of GDM, LLC, built a new Craftsman style shopping center that features restaurants and shops along with a Home Depot. Home Depot held its grand opening in November of 2006. Several of the businesses displaced by redevelopment of the property returned to the new retail shops. Returning tenants included Beautiology (formerly El Toro Beauty Supply), Watch Tech, Mr. Wok, Rite Price Pharmacy, and Baskin Robbins. New tenants include Wachovia Bank, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Sport Clips, and Batteries Plus.
Q: WHERE CAN I OBTAIN INFORMATION ON THE ARBOR ON EL TORO SHOPPING DISTRICT ACTIVITIES?
A: There are numerous ways to obtain information, including: 1) Visit the Redevelopment Agency website at www.thearbor.info for an overview and current information on the project. 2) Subscribe to the City’s e-Newsletter. This is an electronic communication tool and a convenient way for people to receive updates about the progress of the Arbor on El Toro and Redevelopment, and Business Information and Business Services. The e-Newsletter is a free service where subscribers can receive a newsletter customized to their interests via e-mail or as updated information becomes available. To subscribe, please access the website www.thearbor.info and click on the link to the e-newsletter.
Q: WHAT PROPERTY IS AVAILABLE TO BUY/LEASE IN THE CITY?
A: The City does not own any retail property. Interested businesses should contact the property management firms associated directly with the specific center. The property management firm signs are posted on the property with contact information. If you are unable to determine who the property management firm is, please contact Redevelopment/Economic Development at (949) 461-3547 or email to pwilliams@ci.lake-forest.ca.us
Q: HOW CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT UPCOMING BUSINESS SEMINARS AND EVENTS IN THE CITY OF LAKE FOREST?
A: You can find out about upcoming business seminars and events, sponsored by the City of Lake Forest, by accessing the City's Redevelopment and Economic Development website at www.thearbor.info and clicking on “Event Information.” The seminars, workshops and roundtables offered by the City at no charge include a variety of topics such as starting a business, developing a website, understanding government regulations and marketing.
Q: WHAT IS BEING DONE TO IMPROVE EL TORO ROAD?
A: El Toro Road is being improved to achieve three important goals identified by the community in a series of workshops held by the City of Lake Forest:
El Toro Road, one of Lake Forest's major gateways, is being widened and beautified as part of the revitalization of the area known as "The Arbor on El Toro." The resulting thoroughfare will offer a smoother and more appealing drive between I-5 Freeway and Muirlands Boulevard. The improvements to El Toro Road, in conjunction with the ongoing redevelopment of "The Arbor on El Toro" will transform the El Toro corridor into an active retail and civic hub.
Q: WHY IS THE EL TORO ROAD TRAFFIC & LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT NEEDED?
A: El Toro Road is Lake Forest’s busiest arterial highway, serving hundreds of businesses along its length, and thousands of commuters who use the road on a daily basis. Community workshops and feedback revealed that traffic congestion was an impediment to maintaining successful businesses and private investment in new developments as well as renovating existing properties. As the area matured, the need for various improvements to manage congestion and to maintain the area’s vitality and commercial viability became paramount. Improvements to date include: one additional traffic lane in each direction of the busy section of the commercial corridor, traffic signal coordination and improved access to and between commercial centers, bus shelters and pedestrian seating niches, banners identifying and celebrating the new Arbor District, new lighting fixtures and distinctive architecture that serve to enhance the Craftsman theme throughout the Arbor District.
Q: WHAT WILL THE IMPROVED EL TORO ROAD LOOK LIKE?
A: You will notice many improvements once the project takes shape:
Q: WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION BEGIN AND HOW LONG WILL IT LAST?
A: Road widening construction activities began September 2004 and were completed in winter 2006.
Q: HOW MUCH WILL THE EL TORO ROAD TRAFFIC & LANDSCAPE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT COST?
A: The total cost of the project is approximately $33 million. The City of Lake Forest has provided one third of the funds, with the majority of the balance coming from the Orange County Transportation Authority's Measure M funds.
Q: WHAT MEASURES WERE TAKEN TO MINIMIZE THE PROJECT'S IMPACTS TO MOTORISTS ON EL TORO ROAD?
A: Access to business and residential areas along El Toro Road remained open at all times. In addition, the contractor maintained a minimum of two lanes of traffic in each direction during construction. Nearby residents and businesses were notified of construction activity. |
