Tom Tait | Voice of OC

Santana: Anaheim Stadium Deal Goes Easy on Angels, Hard on Taxpayers

Anaheim

By Norberto Santana Jr. | January 14, 2019

Anaheim Mayor Harry Sidhu is proposing this Tuesday to let the Los Angeles Angels out of a bad move this past November when owner Arte Moreno opted out of his stadium lease with nowhere to go. As a result, by this October, taxpayers will be sitting on a $1 billion asset with no restrictions on developing the 150-acre parking lot area around the stadium. Yet a proposal this Tuesday before the Anaheim city council would erase that potential and lock taxpayers into another lopsided, long-term negotiation with the Angels – who are probably leaving for Los Angeles anyway as their recent controversial renaming clearly implies.

Anaheim’s Contested Mayor and Council Race [Latest Election Night Count]

2018 elections

By Thy Vo | November 6, 2018

The election results determine the balance of the Anaheim City Council majority in a year where the Disneyland Resort, hotel industry and unions have spent a record amount on the election.

Unprecedented Spending in Another Pivotal Anaheim Election

2018 elections

By Thy Vo | October 30, 2018

On Nov. 6, voters will select a new city council majority and vote on a controversial minimum wage initiative requiring taxpayer-subsidized businesses to pay their workers more.

City and Anaheim Ducks Propose 25-Year Lease and Development Around Honda Center

Anaheim Ducks

By Thy Vo | October 26, 2018

The Angels, Anaheim’s baseball team may be looking to leave, but the city’s hockey team, the Anaheim Ducks, are negotiating a new 25-year lease and development project around the Honda Center.

Anaheim Minimum Wage Initiative Could Apply to GardenWalk Mall and DoubleTree Hotel

Anaheim Minimum Wage Initiative

By Thy Vo | October 11, 2018

Public commenters told the Anaheim City Council and its city attorney Tuesday that big hotels aren’t the only businesses affected by a proposed $18-an-hour minimum wage initiative on the Nov. 6 ballot.

Harbor Blvd. Streetcar is Dead; Costs for Santa Ana-Garden Grove Streetcar Skyrocket

streetcar

By Thy Vo | September 20, 2018

OCTA officials ended discussion in June of a Harbor Boulevard streetcar after cities couldn’t agree on the project. Meanwhile, an existing streetcar plan to connect Santa Ana and Garden Grove will cost far more than originally expected.

Anaheim Ends Tax Subsidy Deals for Disneyland

Anaheim

By Thy Vo | August 29, 2018

Anaheim city officials say they want to hit the “reset” button on a contentious political relationship with the Disneyland Resort, after voting unanimously Tuesday to rescind two major tax subsidy deals benefiting the corporation.

Disney Wants to Cancel Its Anaheim Tax Subsidies, Calling Them “Divisive”

Anaheim business subsidies

By Thy Vo | August 22, 2018

The Disneyland Resort is asking Anaheim officials to cancel two major tax subsidy deals, saying the deals have become “a flashpoint for controversy and dissention [sic] in our community.”

Homelessness and Crime Increase at Anaheim’s Maxwell Park

Housing & Homelessness

By Spencer Custodio | August 20, 2018

West Anaheim’s Maxwell Park is facing a spike in homeless people staying in and around the park and homeless-related crimes, according to Anaheim Deputy Police Chief Julian Harvey.

Anaheim Council Rejects Changes to Wage Increase Ballot Question

Anaheim Minimum Wage Initiative

By Thy Vo | August 7, 2018

A split Anaheim City Council rejected proposed changes to the ballot question for an initiative that, if approved in November, will raise the minimum wage for city subsidized businesses to $18 an hour by 2022.