Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Study Session - Presentation of the Little Saigon Streetscape Prepared by Hongjoo Kim Landscape Architects, Inc., a Feasibility Study Funded by the California JobsFirst Grant.
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From: Christine Cordon, City Manager
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Shaunna Hunter, Senior Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
None. No action is taken at a Study Session.
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BACKGROUND
In Fall 2020, the City commissioned StreetSense to develop actionable strategies to enhance Little Saigon’s economic vitality, cultural significance, and long-term sustainability. The resulting Little Saigon Blueprint for Investment (“Blueprint”) identified opportunities to build on the district’s existing assets, support local businesses, attract visitors, and strengthen Little Saigon as a premier cultural and economic destination (Attachment 1).
With more than 700 businesses and approximately $938.6 million in annual sales, Little Saigon is an important economic and cultural hub for the Vietnamese community. Maintaining and enhancing the district’s vibrancy remains a priority for the City. The Blueprint provides a strategic framework for guiding investments, partnerships, and initiatives that support economic growth and improve the overall quality of place within Little Saigon.
In July 2025, the City was awarded a $250,000 State of California JobsFirst Grant to support Westminster’s proposed “Little Saigon Blueprint for Economic Vitality and Quality of Place,” building on the strategies and needs identified in the original Blueprint. The original grant period was October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026; the City received an extension through November 30, 2026. All activities identified in the grant work plan must be completed by the extended deadline.
Little Saigon - Defined Project Area:
• Bolsa Avenue between Magnolia Street to Brookhurst Street
• Moran Street between Bishop Place and the end of Moran Street, north of Kramer Avenue
• Weststate Street between Bishop Place to Bolsa Avenue
JobsFirst Grant-Funded Project Requirements and Status:
• Task 1 - Outreach Coordination (Ongoing)
• Task 2 - Pilot Soap and Water Program (Completed in January 2026)
• Task 3 - Streetscape Feasibility Study (Ongoing since January 2026 with expected completion by October 2026)
• Task 4 - District Branding (Ongoing since April 2026 with expected completion by November 2026)
• Task 5 - Workforce Development/Public Private Partnerships (Ongoing)
Streetscape Feasibility Study (Task 3)
The Little Saigon Streetscape Feasibility Study evaluated the project area to identify opportunities to improve the existing streetscape, pedestrian experience, public and private amenities, and overall appearance of Little Saigon, with a focus on tourism and economic development. The study explores concepts that include enhanced lighting, landscaping, signage, public art and cultural elements, seating, bus shelters, bicycle facilities, and other improvements designed to create a more welcoming, walkable, and vibrant environment for residents and visitors.
Community input was a key component of the study process to ensure that the recommendations reflect the needs, history, and vision of the Little Saigon community. The design concepts were informed by extensive public engagement, including four in-person outreach events, one focus group, and one town hall. Collectively, these efforts generated more than 1,000 public responses.
The study is intended to identify feasible improvements, establish potential priorities, and explore implementation strategies that may guide future City investments and private partnerships. The study does not commit the City to constructing any of the proposed improvements. Rather, it provides a framework for evaluating and prioritizing potential future streetscape investments.
Hongjoo Kim Landscape Architects, Inc. (HKLA) was selected from the City’s on-call landscape architecture firms to conduct the study. Based in Los Angeles, HKLA is an award-winning landscape architecture firm that focuses on thoughtful design and community engagement. Through this project, HKLA sought to elevate the Bolsa Avenue corridor by honoring the cultural heritage of Little Saigon and exploring opportunities to strengthen the district as a regional cultural and tourism destination.
Streetscape Study Project Deliverables - Agreement (Attachment 2):
• Community Outreach
• Site Inventory
• Site Analysis
• Design Framework
• Design Options - two options for consideration
• Community Presentation
• Final Report with recommendations
Little Saigon Streetscape Feasibility Study - Design Option 1
Enhancing the pedestrian experience while keeping the existing roadway intact. This option focuses on creating a more inviting, comfortable, and vibrant Little Saigon through improvements such as shade trees, seating areas, pedestrian plazas, artistic crosswalks, and opportunities for future murals. The existing curb lines and roadways would remain unchanged, while the streetscape is enhanced to create more welcoming spaces for residents, visitors, and businesses. Moran Street and Weststate Street improvements include revising current parking layout, adding shade trees, public seating, and plaza areas.
Little Saigon Streetscape Feasibility Study - Design Option 2
Creating more space for people, connections, and community. This option explores a more transformative approach to Bolsa Avenue, with expanded pedestrian areas, an integrated bike and pedestrian experience, and a potential lane reduction between Magnolia Avenue and Ward Avenue. New street parking, shade trees, seating, plazas, artistic crosswalks, and opportunities for future murals would create a more vibrant and welcoming streetscape. Along Moran Street and Weststate Street, Option 2 concept also explores relocating parking to create additional plazas and gathering spaces for community activities, events, and everyday use.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact for reviewing the options presented by HKLA.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Staff is seeking City Council direction on the preferred conceptual approach for the Little Saigon Streetscape Feasibility Study. Given the timeframe to fulfill the requirements of the grant, City Council is requested to select Option 1 or Option 2, with or without minor recommendations, to guide the completion of the study.
Following City Council direction, HKLA will refine the selected concept, incorporate Council and community input, and finalize the Streetscape Feasibility Study, including recommended improvements, priorities, and potential implementation strategies. The finalized study and recommendations will be presented to City Council at a future meeting for consideration and formal adoption.
Selection of the preferred option does not commit the City to construction or funding of the proposed improvements. Rather, it will provide HKLA with direction to complete the study and establish a framework for future consideration, investment, and partnerships.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Little Saigon Blueprint for Investment
2. HKLA Professional Services Agreement to conduct a Streetscape Feasibility Study in Little Saigon
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager