Council grants 90‑day ENA extension for Boardwalk mixed‑use entertainment project including aquarium and 'Butterfly Wonderland'

The Buena Park City Council unanimously approved a three‑month extension of the Exclusive Negotiating Agreement with Boardwalk Enterprises LLC on May 20, allowing the developer additional time to finalize financing and design for a proposed entertainment complex on the city‑owned Beach Boulevard site.

Matt Folkes, the city’s director of community and economic development, introduced Adi, the developer’s representative, who presented concept renderings and a project schedule. Adi described planned attractions including an Odyssey Aquarium (estimated 55,000–60,000 square feet), a Butterfly Wonderland (about 40,000 square feet), a central boardwalk, retail and dining, and a dramatic shark façade with LED integrations intended as a photo opportunity.

Adi said staff and the developer have completed many ENA tasks and are pursuing design‑build procurement and financing options. The team has issued an RFQ/RFP to general contractors for cost estimates and hopes to open in 2027, with an aggressive target of mid‑2027 depending on permitting and construction timing. Construction was described as approximately 12 months following permit issuance.

Public comment included questions about land price, parking and whether the concept would draw from nearby institutions with similar attractions. City staff said land transfers would be at fair market value and stressed that the extension covers work on project financing and feasibility; if entitlement steps were possible sooner they would proceed ahead of the ENA timeline.

What happens next: staff and the developer will continue negotiations and financing work under the extended ENA; if milestones are met the project will move to entitlements and design‑build procurement.