Dedicated to Preserving California's
Largest Historic District

Orange City Council Needs to Hear From You!

Nobody is questioning the reasons for the creation of the Paseo, which extended a helping hand to the businesses that were negatively affected by COVID-19.  However, with no restrictions on indoor dining and the City’s Emergency Order expiring in September 2021, the time has come to open up Glassell Street to vehicular traffic and return the Historic District to its pre-pandemic status. The Paseo could be extended after its December 31 life cycle and City Council needs to hear from you!
  • Changes in Vehicle Traffic
    • ​The change and diversion in traffic pattern and/or the difficulty in navigating Old Towne Orange. The historic neighborhood was never designed to accommodate the flow of traffic from Glassell Street, including, but not limited to OCTA public transportation buses and commercial trucking.
  • Standards Set by City Council not Being Followed
    • ​The Paseo standards the City has put into place are not being followed and are not enforced. The look and feel of the Paseo takes away from the historic charm and character of Old Towne Orange.
  • Paseo Intent has Changed
    • ​With dining restrictions lifted, the Paseo is no longer about public safety but rather, revenue generation for a small handful of commercial enterprises at the expense of adjacent residents and businesses, which was not the intent of the creation of the Paseo. The Paseo significantly changes the function and character of a sensitive historic landmark that is under state and federal protections.
  • Little Data to Make Decisions
    • The City is making decisions based on anecdotal evidence and has very little data to make comprehensive decisions about the future of the Paseo. The Paseo should be removed while the City goes through the proper process of studying the project to make any determinations.

Want to Speak at the City Council Meeting?  Download the flyer in the link below and give to your neighbors who have Paseo comments.

FREE Family Fun Event for OTPA Members to Celebrate Our 35th Anniversary

OTPA SUBMITS PASEO COMMENTS TO CITY COUNCIL FOR ORANGE PLAZA PASEO LONG-TERM PLAN AND STREETSCAPE PROGRAM

The City Council is reviewing the future of the Plaza Plaza and deciding if it should be permanent, seasonal or discontinued.  Since the Paseo is located in the heart of Old Towne, it’s the obligation of your OTPA to request consideration of community impact and preservation issues before a decision is made.

The letter we sent to Council members stating our position can be found below. 

CITY TO CONSIDER CLOSING HISTORIC THOROUGHFARE AT A COST OF $50K A MONTH TO TAX PAYERS

The emergency creation of the Paseo was arguably the right thing to do at the time to support the local merchants.  Now the time has come to talk about how to restore the Plaza to its historic configuration.  At the upcoming July 13 City Council Meeting the topic of the Paseo is on the agenda.  Here are a few Paseo highlights from the City's Staff report:
  • Little to no mention of the Historic Nature of the Plaza.
  • No Mention of the Historic Preservation Design Standards for Old Towne adopted in 2018
  • CEQA may be required
  • $20K - $30K in tax payer money to implement
  • $30K in tax payer money to tear down
  • $50K/month in tax payer money for operational cost while only seeing a 3.6% increase in sales tax revenue
Let's examine what the 3.6% increase in tax revenue actually means relative to the $600,000 per year tax payer cost.  This means to break even on the Paseo cost of $600K per year, the sales tax collected would have to be an additional $16,666,666. That's right,  $16.6 million dollars.

Have a comment about the Paseo?  Send an e-comment to city council or make a public comment at Tuesday's Council Meeting-6pm Council Chambers.

STREET FAIR VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

It’s almost BEER time! 
 
Following a difficult 2020 and early 2021, we are excited to be back and again participate in the Orange International Street Fair (OISF) this September 3-5.  Your favorite friends, beer and bands will be back.  If you are ready to venture out, or maybe you’ve been out, we would love for you (and all your family and friends) to join us to make this year’s Beer Booth an outstanding OTPA fundraising success. We look forward to seeing you soon!

JUNE 16 ANNIVERSARY

5TH ANNUAL STATE OF OLD TOWNE FORUM

ADU TOWN HALL WITH COUNCILWOMAN BARRIOS

2021 GENERAL MEETING 

2020 Holiday Decorating Contest!

Click on Image to Enlarge

 2020 CANDIDATE'S FORUM!
View Video on OTPA's FaceBook Page!
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Click Above to Enlarge

CITY COUNCIL ENDORSEMENTS ANNOUNCED BY POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE LAUNCHED BY OLD TOWNE PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION

OTPA's Response to Proposed DRC Changes
​September 4, 2020

Upcoming Events!

Additional Info Under Menu Item "Events"  and "News" (Above)

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- Orange Plaza Inn Meeting
July 28, 2020 7PM
​See Video to Left!
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2020 Orange International Street Fair is Cancelled due to Covid 19
Details Regarding Virtual Street Fair and Fundraiser Available Soon!
"The Old Towne Preservation Association thanks the International Street Fair Board of Directors for taking the proper and appropriate action in view of today's health issues.  Also, we thank the Board for introducing a new entertainment and income concept as this year's alternative.  Non-profits depend on the Street Fair for their programming, and welcome the news that the Virtual Street Fair will help fund the important work undertaken in Orange by these non-profits."

​​- Spring 2020 Newsletter is Available! Scroll down to view!

Spring 2020 Newsletter has Arrived!

How We Fulfill Our Mission

To preserve, protect and enhance California's largest Historical District — Old Towne Orange
      ​​• Input to Major Public and Private Development Projects
​​     • Members of Chapman Advisory Committee
​​     • Academic Scholarships​​
​​     • Preservation Awards
​​​• Education and Public Events
​​• Interaction with City Hall​
​​• Representation at Design Review Committee Meetings​,
​​• Planning Commission Meetings and City Council Meetings