Anaheim’s old downtown fell victim to the 1980s redevelopment approach of razing buildings and planning new development. After several plans failed to materialize, the area is being reborn as the Downtown District welcoming a retail-rich, pedestrian-oriented mixed-use district.

The new downtown is centered around Center Street Promenade—a pedestrian-friendly two-lane main street, perpendicular to Harbor Boulevard—located immediately behind a conventional shopping center. Downtown Anaheim boasts the Muzeo, which will be presenting a history of Disneyland exhibit during the tour. The new downtown includes 520 apartments, 60,000 square feet of commercial space and parking for 600 cars. The new construction terminates at City Hall. The other terminus is Harbor Boulevard, a major arterial highway with planned bus rapid transit.

Center Street Promenade accommodates automobiles, but caters to pedestrians. Wide sidewalks are buffered from the street by landscape and angled parking activates the street for businesses. A variety of traffic calming measures, including mid-block crossings and a traffic circle, keep vehicles moving slowly and make it safe for those on foot to cross the street. A mix of street furniture, landscaping and outdoor dining makes for a rich street experience. Downtown lofts and apartments support retail, dining and entertainment.

Tour the State Route 91 Express Lanes control facility and hear how the toll policy of congestion management pricing is used by Orange County Transportation Authority for the 10 miles of heavily traveled freeway. Hourly traffic volumes in the express lanes are continually monitored. When hourly traffic volumes are consistently too heavy and there is the potential for traffic congestion, a rate adjustment is made. The effect of the toll policy has been an increase in customer usage earning sufficient revenue to pay all expenses and also provide seed funding for general freeway improvements.