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http://www.ocregister.com/articles/korean-grove-garden-2152310-boulevard-district
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Work continues to revitalize Garden Grove's Korean District
Area along Garden Grove Boulevard still considered heart, though aging one, of Korean community.
By ELLYN PAK
The Orange County Register
GARDEN GROVE ? Sections of the Korean District along Garden Grove Boulevard continue to undergo construction as part of an effort to inject some energy into an aging corridor.
Though construction is lagging, the Garden Grove Galleria ? an eight-story, $45 million project with 66 condominiums and retail shops ? is expected to anchor what officials hope to be a more revitalized district.
"It'll be a major new addition to the district," said Chet Yoshizaki, Garden Grove's director of economic development.
Overall construction, which began nearly two years ago, is slated to be complete by fall 2009. An official opening of the 126,000-square-foot space ? east of Ramada Plaza Hotel ? is aimed for the holiday season next year, said developer Charles Kim of Sunny Realty. The condominiums are expected to hit the market next spring.
"There will be a different shape to Garden Grove Boulevard," Kim said. "There will be more pride for the Korean community."
Smaller projects along the boulevard are expected to help revive the district, including a retail and commercial area adjacent to Arirang Market near Stevens Lane. Construction of two new buildings at that site is slated to be finished in two months, said Kevin Lee of New Star Realty.
In addition, the newly built Festival Plaza located at the corner of Garden Grove Boulevard and Brookhurst Street recently opened with Korean and Vietnamese-owned restaurants.
For decades, Garden Grove's Korean enclave, dubbed "Little Seoul", has boasted the highest number of Korean establishments concentrated in one area of the county.
More than 1,000 Korean-owned businesses line Garden Grove Boulevard between Beach Boulevard and Brookhurst Street ? a stark difference from the one Korean-owned grocery store that anchored the community in the mid-1970s.
With time, however, Orange County Koreans dispersed to other cities including Buena Park, Fullerton and Irvine, shifting economic activity that was once anchored in Garden Grove.
Korean-owned supermarkets, restaurants, banks and day spas now dominate the northern edge of Beach Boulevard in Buena Park. Similar businesses continue to sprout elsewhere as neighboring cities continue to experience a Korean population boon.
According to 2005 U.S. Census figures, approximately 17,600 Koreans live in Fullerton, 11,400 in Irvine and 6,000 in Garden Grove.
Despite tremendous growth in other areas, many believe the Korean District remains the heart of the community and are banking on the Galleria to attract more patrons.
"We have a much better shopping area to compete with the ones in the Irvine and Buena Park areas," Kim said. "We don't worry. We will have more development here not only for Koreans but for the mainstream and other ethnic groups."
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Work continues to revitalize Garden Grove's Korean District
Area along Garden Grove Boulevard still considered heart, though aging one, of Korean community.
By ELLYN PAK
The Orange County Register
GARDEN GROVE ? Sections of the Korean District along Garden Grove Boulevard continue to undergo construction as part of an effort to inject some energy into an aging corridor.
Though construction is lagging, the Garden Grove Galleria ? an eight-story, $45 million project with 66 condominiums and retail shops ? is expected to anchor what officials hope to be a more revitalized district.
"It'll be a major new addition to the district," said Chet Yoshizaki, Garden Grove's director of economic development.
Overall construction, which began nearly two years ago, is slated to be complete by fall 2009. An official opening of the 126,000-square-foot space ? east of Ramada Plaza Hotel ? is aimed for the holiday season next year, said developer Charles Kim of Sunny Realty. The condominiums are expected to hit the market next spring.
"There will be a different shape to Garden Grove Boulevard," Kim said. "There will be more pride for the Korean community."
Smaller projects along the boulevard are expected to help revive the district, including a retail and commercial area adjacent to Arirang Market near Stevens Lane. Construction of two new buildings at that site is slated to be finished in two months, said Kevin Lee of New Star Realty.
In addition, the newly built Festival Plaza located at the corner of Garden Grove Boulevard and Brookhurst Street recently opened with Korean and Vietnamese-owned restaurants.
For decades, Garden Grove's Korean enclave, dubbed "Little Seoul", has boasted the highest number of Korean establishments concentrated in one area of the county.
More than 1,000 Korean-owned businesses line Garden Grove Boulevard between Beach Boulevard and Brookhurst Street ? a stark difference from the one Korean-owned grocery store that anchored the community in the mid-1970s.
With time, however, Orange County Koreans dispersed to other cities including Buena Park, Fullerton and Irvine, shifting economic activity that was once anchored in Garden Grove.
Korean-owned supermarkets, restaurants, banks and day spas now dominate the northern edge of Beach Boulevard in Buena Park. Similar businesses continue to sprout elsewhere as neighboring cities continue to experience a Korean population boon.
According to 2005 U.S. Census figures, approximately 17,600 Koreans live in Fullerton, 11,400 in Irvine and 6,000 in Garden Grove.
Despite tremendous growth in other areas, many believe the Korean District remains the heart of the community and are banking on the Galleria to attract more patrons.
"We have a much better shopping area to compete with the ones in the Irvine and Buena Park areas," Kim said. "We don't worry. We will have more development here not only for Koreans but for the mainstream and other ethnic groups."
