Just four percent of Irvine's Great Park has been built in six years, compared to an early estimation that it would be completed in 10. Now, it may take 20. And it's no one's fault, writes Jeff Overley.
"For starters, extensive demolition is required. The base once had nearly 900 non-residential structures as well as single-family and multi-family homes representing 2,200 housing units.
Many of El Toro's building have been razed by developer FivePoint Communities – a spin-off of original landowner Lennar – as it prepares to break ground on a community of 5,000 homes that will take 10 years to build, assuming stable economic conditions.
Demolition was made easier because few of El Toro's structures are seen as culturally significant."
"The 5,000 homes cover only about half of FivePoint's land, and a timeline hasn't been released for developing the remaining property, which could include an urban, downtown-style area near the Irvine train station."
Read the full story: How long will Great Park take to build?
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40 years after approval, Chicago breaks ground on new park
The park honors Jean Baptiste Point du Sable, the city’s first permanent non-native settler.
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