By snoadmin
HUNTINGTON BEACH – Orange County’s legendary “Surf City USA” has decided to undergo a dynamic downtown construction project that hopes to ultimately change the city’s laid-back surfer image into a more tourist-driven, luxurious destination year round.
This construction project is expected to continue for the next few years and will include two developments that will bring three luxury beachfront resort hotels, a variety of new shops, restaurants and business offices, as well as hundreds of upscale homes to the downtown area.
“The current projects will enhance the downtown area and continue to brand Huntington Beach as a destination city,” said Huntington Beach Economic Development Specialist Tony Le-Ngoc. “These projects will also encourage daytime visitors to stay overnight and shop while visiting.”
The goal is to give tourists an incentive to stay the night, even when the weather is cold and windy or the surf is bad. The majority of H.B. tourists come during the warmer months and the summer, which causes the city’s business to fluctuate with the season. This new development hopes to help regulate the imbalance of business revenue throughout the year.
The first development will be called Pacific City, which will include 31 acres of new restaurants, retail shops, offices and a 250-room W Hotel. This project is currently taking place along Pacific Coast Highway, just south of downtown’s Main Street and pier.
The second development will be called The Strand. Though only three acres large, it will include more shops, restaurants, business offices and a 157-room Shorebreak Hotel. The Strand is expected to open this fall.
A third hotel not yet named will be constructed between the Hilton and Hyatt beachfront resorts along Pacific Coast Highway next to the Pacific City development.
Huntington Beach, with a local population of about 190,000, is already home to 16 million visitors a year, but the city hopes to increase that number with the success of this project.
Many people say they are pleased, and are looking forward to the projects outcome.
“I encourage and support the project because this means that our city is becoming more popular and an increasing number of people want to stay and vacation here,” said H.B. resident and junior business marketing major Christina Nakamura.
While some are happy, others are hesitant about what these new developments may bring.
“It will be sad to see all the small places I’ve become accustomed to growing up either being shut down for renovation or chased out by large hotels and food chains,” said H.B. local Jesse Johnson.
“The small-town atmosphere was fueled by the little mom and pop shops and clean beaches,” Johnson said. “With the city becoming more and more tourist based, this town will only be known as a tourist attraction rather than a local hangout. I definitely picture a very Manhattan Beach or Santa Monica-type future for Huntington.”
Although there are many different views and opinions on the issue, ultimately these projects will benefit the city and boost its economy, according to Le-Ngoc.
“The city will be positively impacted by increased revenue from sales tax, transient occupancy tax, increased property values and increased tourism,” Le-Ngoc said. “A more diversified local economy will ensure that Huntington Beach can weather difficult economic times.”
City officials are hoping the increased publicity and activity going on in the city will not only attract out-of-state visitors, but local ones from neighboring cities as well such as Long Beach, Seal Beach and their neighboring suburbs.
