Mixed-Use Faces Mixed Reviews in Fullerton

In Fullerton, CA, a dense new mixed-use building is facing criticism from neighbors and residents. 'All of a sudden we get one of these mixed-use buildings, [and] it's like a fort got dropped out of the sky,' says one neighbor.

1 minute read

August 20, 2008, 2:00 PM PDT

By Tim Halbur


The project is called SoCoWalk, and it has received numerous awards and accolades according to the developer's website. But the Los Angeles Times reports that the community doesn't see the project as integrating with their neighborhood:

"Discontent with SoCo Walk abounds. Neighbors of the project say its residents don't mix with the existing community. And though some SoCo Walk residents say their lives improved when they dropped the commute, many worry they're too close to downtown and all its attendant problems. The harshest critics say the project was badly executed.

Against this backdrop, Fullerton officials are contemplating approving Amerige Court, a five-story mixed-use complex with more than 100 residential units and 30,000 square feet of retail and office space in the heart of downtown. The Planning Commission voted last month against recommending the project to the City Council, which takes up the project today.

SoCo Walk was controversial from the start. To make room for the project, landowners razed several single-family homes -- eliminating a chunk of the Truslow neighborhood, a mostly poor, predominantly Latino community. Inside the SoCo Walk, a coffee shop is closed. A sign on the door says developers refused to provide access to adequate electricity for a food-service business. A yogurt shop also remains shuttered."

Tuesday, August 19, 2008 in The Los Angeles Times

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

6 hours ago - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY