Redevelopment Agency Supplemental Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund Payment
On May 10, 2010, the Lake Forest Redevelopment Agency was required to make a Supplemental Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund Payment (“SERAF”) to the State of California totaling $1,209,535. The payment was required as a result of a bill, ABX4-26, passed by the State legislature shifting $2.05 billion in local redevelopment funds to the State. For more information about ABX4-26, click here. For more information about the City of Lake Forest Redevelopment Agencies, click here.
HABIT BURGER NOW OPEN IN LAKE FOREST
Irvine based Habit Burger has now opened its second Orange County restaurant in The Orchard Shopping Center suite formerly occupied by Johnny Rockets. The casual restaurant has both indoor and outdoor dinning, and specializes in charbroiled hamburgers, sandwiches, shakes and malts. For a menu and more information, please visit http://www.habitburger.com/.
CAFE RIO MEXICAN GRILL GRAND OPENING IN HUNTERCOURTSHOPPING CENTER
The City of Lake Forest is proud to welcome Cafe Rio as the newest restaurant in the Redevelopment Project Area. Located at 24312 Rockfield Boulevard, at the corner of El Toro Road, the restaurant features a menu inspired by the Rio GrandeValley regions of Northern Mexico, Texas, and New Mexico. Encompassing a completely renovated façade, the restaurant occupies the space formerly leased by PC Club Lake Forest. This is the first location in California for the popular Utah-based chain. For a menu and more information about the restaurant, please visit http://www.caferio.com/.
Previously vacant building Newly renovated façade
SUSHI IZAKAYA GRAND OPENING
The City of Lake Forest welcomed its newest restaurant, Sushi Izakaya Rei, to the Orchard shopping center on November 20, 2009. A grand opening celebration and ribbon cutting event was held and was attended by the City of Lake Forest, representatives from the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, and staff from Congressman John Campbell’s office. Sushi Izakaya Rei specializes in casual style Japanese cuisine and is located at 23702 El Toro Rd, Unit S6A. For more information, contact the restaurant at (949) 770-3280 and http://www.sushiizakayarei.com/.
HOOTERS RESTAURANT GRAND OPENING
Hooters Restaurant celebrated its grand opening on Friday, November 13, 2009. The City of Lake Forest, representatives from the Lake Forest Chamber of Commerce, and staff from Congressman Tom Campbell’s office were on hand to present certificates welcoming Hooters to the city. The celebration included a tour of the facility and appetizers for attendees.
Hooters is located at located at 24356 Swartz Drive, near the intersection of El Toro Road and the San Diego Freeway.The new 3,500 square foot location includes 29 high definition flatscreen televisions and seating that can accommodate up to 256 guests.The restaurant replaces a pad building that was vacant for several months. As a result, the restaurant will continue to enhance the economic diversity of the Project Area and represents the continued redevelopment of the El Toro Square retail center and the El Toro Road commercial corridor.
DENNY'S RESTAURANT
In May 2009, the Agency approved a new Denny’s Restaurant located in the Bell Tower shopping center. The project consisted of interior and exterior façade modifications including new paint, stonework, and awnings. The restaurant, which is immediately adjacent to El Toro Road, replaced the vacant Baker’s Square Restaurant. Additionally, the building incorporates the El Toro Project Area’s Craftsman-style architecture and a significantly improved appearance. The restaurant’s nationwide name recognition and successful operations at other locations will provide an economic boost to the shopping center and the Project Area.
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.
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.” Click here to view pictures of The Orchard Groundbreaking Celebration, demolition and the start of the rebuild construction
