Making Music
By Jacob Levy, editor and publisher
Can you feel a change coming? Over the next several months, and continuing through the end of the decade, the Orange County Great Park is going to accelerate its greatness. Many told us they felt the momentum shift into higher gear at the “ice breaking” for the fabulous new ice facility being underwritten by the Anaheim Ducks and Ducks owners Susan and Henry Samueli. You can read more about that moment in this issue, but suffice it to say that when the Samuelis attach their name to a project (literally or figuratively) greatness for the project and for Orange County has tended to follow.
We also heard from many at the ice-breaking who were impressed by their first look at the new Sports Park soccer stadium that’s nearing completion, and now a prominent part of the Great Park vista. Once the Sports Park is complete and open to the public, we’re confident that all but the most ardent Great Park skeptics will acknowledge that progress is being made and that a great park of which we can all be proud is near on the horizon.
It’s not just the buildings and grounds and amenities we’re excited about. We’re hoping that the momentum we’re feeling will also heal some of the rifts and factionalism that have troubled our city’s politics for too long.
We weren’t the only attendees to note that the groundbreaking of the new Great Park Ice Complex might have been the first community event in recent memory to draw the complete city council. While former Mayor Choi could have been expected at most any event in town, other councilmembers may have withheld their attendance depending upon the topic at hand.
We’re looking forward to upcoming city council sessions to see if that unity of vision and purpose is something citizens can rely upon going forward. For example, in March or soon thereafter, the proposal to keep live music in Irvine will come before the city council.
Having Live Nation, FivePoint and the city collaborate to create a focal point for a vibrant music scene sounds great to us.
We also heard from many at the ice-breaking who were impressed by their first look at the new Sports Park soccer stadium that’s nearing completion, and now a prominent part of the Great Park vista. Once the Sports Park is complete and open to the public, we’re confident that all but the most ardent Great Park skeptics will acknowledge that progress is being made and that a great park of which we can all be proud is near on the horizon.
It’s not just the buildings and grounds and amenities we’re excited about. We’re hoping that the momentum we’re feeling will also heal some of the rifts and factionalism that have troubled our city’s politics for too long.
We weren’t the only attendees to note that the groundbreaking of the new Great Park Ice Complex might have been the first community event in recent memory to draw the complete city council. While former Mayor Choi could have been expected at most any event in town, other councilmembers may have withheld their attendance depending upon the topic at hand.
We’re looking forward to upcoming city council sessions to see if that unity of vision and purpose is something citizens can rely upon going forward. For example, in March or soon thereafter, the proposal to keep live music in Irvine will come before the city council.
Having Live Nation, FivePoint and the city collaborate to create a focal point for a vibrant music scene sounds great to us.
