There’s a new reason average shoppers may avoid patronizing the Kaleidoscope shopping center. A large skateboard demonstration area will be added following council approval Monday evening. The 4-1 approval came despite warnings from several notable merchants currently doing business in the center. Only Councilwoman Trish Kelley supported businesses and residents who decried the project.
The owner of a prominent restaurant in the center was quoted by the O.C. Register, “It’s very difficult to operate a business. It’s a noisy courtyard overrun with a teenage crowd. Kaleidoscope is not better – there are just less patrons there.” The center has suffered past complaints about being a teen hangout with security problems.
City Hall was an original financial partner in the Kaleidoscope project and seems more concerned about increasing sales tax and mitigating a historical vacancy problem. The council previously instructed city staff to refrain from enforcing sign codes in order to appease some ’squeaky wheels’ at Kaleidoscope.
