PackingDistrictLogoIt doesn’t get the headlines  but one of the most anticipated additions to the Anaheim scene is the opening of the Anaheim Packing District in downtown Anaheim this spring, as the OC Register writes about today.

It’s a public-private partnership between The Lab Holding LLC and the City of Anaheim that promises a true revitalization of downtown. The old downtown Anaheim was torn down and redeveloped back in the 1970s, back when it was still considered smart urban development to replace cool old buildings with glass-and-steel boxes.

Fortunately, the old packing house and environs were left standing, and under the experienced hands at The Lab Holding, could form the foundation of a real night-life in downtown Anaheim.  It’s worth noting this project is a legacy of the era of Mayor Curt Pringle, which certain disgruntled elements are fond of deploring as a terrible dark age.

It did occur to me that taxpayer dollars have been spent on this project, essentially subsidizing a developer. Shouldn’t the “Take Back Anaheim” coalition be demanding this project be placed before the voters for their approval, since they believe city council government incompetent to make spending decisions absent recourse to the voters (unless, of course, the developer has been shaken down for sufficient goodies).

Obviously, that would be ridiculous — which is the point.