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Santa Ana outlines $185 million in active public‑works projects; library and parks among top priorities
Summary
Acting public‑works director reported 42 projects under construction totaling about $185,000,000, including Centennial Park expansion, Salvador Quintana sponge-park with stormwater capture (state grant-funded), major Bristol Street improvements and a Memorial Park aquatic center on a fast schedule.
The Santa Ana City Council received a status update on more than three dozen priority public‑works projects that the city says are under construction or close to completion.
Acting Public Works Director Rodolfo Rosas told the council the city has 42 projects in construction representing a total investment of about $185,000,000. "There are currently 42 projects in construction representing a total investment of $185,000,000 in the community," Rosas said. He highlighted projects already completed, those nearing ribbon cuttings and major multi‑phase works under way.
Completed and near‑complete work: Rosas said El Salvador Park restroom and baseball‑field improvements are finished, and the Centennial Park expansion — which includes new trails, picnic areas, restrooms and the city’s first dog park amenity — is due to have a ribbon cutting on April 4. The Portola Park splash pad is in early construction stages and Memorial Park’s new aquatic center is progressing with structural and pool work ongoing.
Stormwater and 'sponge park' projects: Rosas described the new Salvador Quintana Park at Bristol and Tolliver as a "sponge park," built to capture and reuse stormwater; he said most funding for that park comes from state stormwater grants.
Large corridor projects and library renovation: Major street work on Bristol Street includes undergrounding utilities, protected bike lanes and three travel lanes in each direction for parts of the corridor; Rosas said three of four phases of the Standard and McFadden bikeway are substantially complete. The main library renovation — including new mechanical systems, a refurbished exterior and a new history room — is on schedule for substantial completion in July.
Council members thanked staff for progress, asked for clearer utility coordination timelines and pressed Charter Communications and other utilities on undergrounding schedules. On Bristol and Warner avenues staff said Charter remained the last utility to relocate equipment; a downtown Bristol segment was expected to have poles removed by mid‑2026 and Warner later in the year.
Next steps: Staff said several projects will return for construction contracts and additional council consideration, and that the city would continue coordination with utilities and contractors to keep schedules.
The presentation ran about 45 minutes, followed by council questions about sequencing, utility coordination and localized neighborhood impacts.
