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Westminster council directs initial assessment of possible Vietnamese cultural center at Blakey Park
Summary
After extensive public comment urging a Vietnamese cultural center, the council voted 3–2 to authorize staff to perform a limited site assessment focused on property records and easements at Blakey (Blakey) Park; the decision stops short of committing city funds to design or construction.
The Westminster City Council voted 3–2 on March 26 to direct staff to carry out an initial site assessment focused on property records and easements for a proposed Vietnamese cultural community center at Blakey Park. Councilmembers who backed the motion said the step was intended to clarify ownership limits and legal constraints before any design work or funding commitments.
The measure authorizes a small, preliminary investigation (staff estimated the work will be under $5,000) to obtain title and easement information and other property-level documents and to meet with the Westminster Historical Society, which owns an undivided half-interest in part of the park. Mayor Chi "Charlie" Nguyen introduced the item as a preliminary proposal; he and several public speakers described the proposal as an effort to explore options, not to displace or dismantle the Society’s museum.
Don Anderson, secretary of the Westminster Historical Society, told the council the society has managed the museum and several historic structures at Blakey Park for decades and asked that the society be given an opportunity to review any written vision before consultants are hired. Anderson said the society and city share an undivided interest in the park and that the society has spent tens of thousands of dollars on preservation work.
Residents, veterans' groups and community leaders made more than a dozen public comments that evening. Speakers urged the council both to preserve the existing historic structures and to consider a cultural center that would preserve Vietnamese history and provide space for community events. Several speakers said they supported a Vietnamese cultural center but asked the council to pursue alternatives (including private fundraising and sites within Little Saigon) and to work closely with the historical society.
Councilmembers split over process and timing. Opponents of the motion said staff should first meet with the historical society and compile internal information using city staff before authorizing outside research. Supporters said the limited title-and-easement study would help answer basic feasibility questions—such as whether recorded easements or covenants would preclude development—so that more detailed planning could proceed in an informed way.
The vote: the motion to direct staff to perform an initial site assessment of easements and property records passed 3–2 (Yeas: Mayor Nguyen, Vice Mayor Manzo, Councilmember Mark Wynne — Nays: Councilwoman Amy Fan West, Councilmember Nam K. Nguyen).
The council clarified the action authorizes only early fact‑finding and meeting with the historical society, not design work or a construction commitment. If subsequent work is needed (for example, architectural feasibility or construction), staff said they would return to council for authority and budget authorization.
The council asked staff to report back with title and easement results and a recommended next step that includes documented input from the Historical Society and other stakeholders.
