CONCEPTUAL map of a remade Civic Center for Garden Grove.

By Jim Tortolano/Orange County Tribune

A big step on the path towards the “revitalization” of the Civic Center area tops the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting of the Garden Grove City Council.

Before the council is a recommendation for approval of authorizing the city manager to negotiate final terms and execute an exclusive negotiation agreement with the design firm of Edgemoor/Clark/ACMartin.

That would start the “pre-development phase” of the project, which would include designing a new Public Safety building of about 90,000 square feet for the use of the police department as well as a parking structure structure for about 450 spaces for police and the public. 

Additionally, re-envisioning and reconfiguration of the Civic Center Park is part of the mission.

In past discussions, council members and city staff indicated that the likely configuration of the project would involve building the new police facility (two to three stories) at the southwest corner of Euclid Street and Acacia Parkway, requiring the displacement to another location of the park, which currently includes ponds, public art and grassy areas.

To the east of the police facility would be the parking structure. The fire station operated by the Orange County Fire Authority would remain as it is. The last east of that facility – currently occupied by an adult day care facility – would become part of a reoriented public park. 

The Civic Center area is generally located northeast of Euclid Street and Garden Grove Boulevard, south of Stanford Avenue and west of 8th Street.

Also on the agenda is a community spotlight is recognition of Assistant City Manager Maria Stipe’s retirement after 30 years of service.

The council will meet at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Meeting Center, 11300 Stanford Ave.