Great Park Vote Gets Delayed
Posted by Former Blogger Chris Emami on November 17, 2013
This last week the vote to push forward on the Great Park was set to take place. I was not initially planning to cover it, but a large number of readers have asked me to weigh in on what took place and to give a brief analysis.
To give a bit of background on the situation, Councilmember Jeff Lalloway voted with Larry Agran and Beth Krom to delay the vote on the Great Park which came as quite a surprise to me and based on the e-mails that I received a large number of readers.
Here is my overall analysis on what this means and what hopefully will happen.
In a year of historic GOP losses, 2012 had a glimmer of hope when Republicans regained majority control of the Irvine City Council. Wresting control from Larry Agran’s majority was the first step in getting the Orange County Great Park on the right track.
After months of negotiation with a development partner, the Irvine City Council had the opportunity last Tuesday to move the Park forward. But, to 688 acres of sports facilities, gardens and wildlife corridor, Republican Councilmember Jeff Lalloway and Democrats Beth Krom and Larry Agran said, “no, not just yet.”
In addition to getting the Orange County Great Park built, the development partner announced that Broadcom was in discussions to move their corporate headquarters to the Great Park, instead of a speculated move to the District in the City of Tustin.
Getting infrastructure at the Great Park, keeping thousands of high-paying, high-tech jobs in Irvine, fulfilling promises to build a world-class destination for Orange County’s enjoyment. Why is Jeff Lalloway stalling? The development deal will expire at the November 26th City Council meeting. With virtually no development fees left to build the Park, this is the last, best and only hope to fulfill the promise of the Orange County Great Park.
Councilmember Lalloway needs to help protect the Republican majority of the Irvine City Council by doing what’s right and advancing development proposals at the Great Park. If he truly wants to protect Irvine’s interests, he will support Mayor Steven Choi and Councilmember Christina Shea in finally moving the Park forward.
OC Political 
TJ said
Stop the pork. We want a park. Jeff stop being a ham and do what the people want.
Wil Katz said
I am puzzled my councilman Lalloway would associate himself with the Larry Agran who has squandered $100s of millions “planning” a great park. Lalloway the voters put in a Republican majority for a lot less talk and a little more action. Respect the voters and let’s make the Great Park live up to its name.
OCInsider#33 said
Chris, Councilman Lalloway publicly stated that he wanted to vote for the proposal and he was supportive, but that there were still a few details in the agreement that needed to be hammered out and only asked for a 2 weeks to get those taken care of. Good for him. If Irvine staff doesn’t blow it and the developer is actually sincere in getting this done, I am betting you see a 3-2 vote before Thanksgiving.