This post from Governing looks at the long planning process of the Orange County Great Park, a 1,347 acre public park that's been in the works for 7 years. Comprehensive design plans were recently approved and construction is set to begin.
"The prolonged planning process, with its many design unveilings, has worn some people out. Christina Shea, a member of the Orange County Great Park Corp.'s board of directors, told the Orange County Register, "Sometimes, I feel like I am going to the same wedding several times a year." Now, it looks like there will be more delays. The park's build-out plan relies heavily on tax-increment financing derived from development of the land surrounding the park. The housing slump will push that development back by at least a couple of years and maybe more. At times like this, it's worth remembering that New York's Central Park also took seven years to plan-and another 15 to build."
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