One Broadway Plaza: Santa Ana's Tallest Building? Community Weighs In

Controversial 37-story mixed-use development seeks community input on revised plan with more residential units.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:12am

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of premium, geometric architectural models and scaled-down building materials arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background, representing the abstract concepts of urban development, community planning, and the tensions between economic growth and social equity.A conceptual still life that captures the complex debates surrounding One Broadway Plaza's potential impact on Santa Ana's skyline and community.Santa Ana Today

One Broadway Plaza, a long-delayed 37-story mixed-use project in downtown Santa Ana, is back in the spotlight as developers seek community and city input on a revised plan that prioritizes residential units over office space. The project has faced relentless opposition, legal battles, and questions about its commitment to affordable housing over the past two decades, and the latest proposal to add 602 residential units alongside a grocery store and parking structure is sparking renewed debate about whether it represents progress for the city or falls short of addressing community needs.

Why it matters

One Broadway Plaza has the potential to transform Santa Ana's skyline, but its history of controversy and lack of affordable housing has divided the community. As the developers seek approval for a revised plan, this project highlights the ongoing tensions between economic development, community priorities, and the need for equitable growth in the region.

The details

First proposed in 1999 by developer Mike Harrah, One Broadway Plaza was initially envisioned as a commercial skyscraper. After being approved by the City Council in 2004, the project faced a referendum and legal challenges from a group of residents concerned about the rezoning and development requirements. In 2020, the council approved a significant shift, adding 415 residential units, but this move sparked further debate as the project still lacked affordable housing units. The latest revision seeks to add even more housing, bringing the total to 602 residential units, along with a grocery store and parking structure.

  • One Broadway Plaza was first proposed in 1999 by developer Mike Harrah.
  • The project was approved by the Santa Ana City Council in 2004.
  • In 2010, a group of residents filed a lawsuit accusing the city of softening development requirements to favor the project.
  • In 2020, the council approved a revised plan that added 415 residential units.
  • The latest revision, seeking community input, will be presented at a Sunshine Ordinance community meeting on January 28, 2026.

The players

Mike Harrah

A prominent Santa Ana developer who first proposed the One Broadway Plaza project in 1999.

Coalition for Accountable Government Ethics

A group of Santa Ana residents who challenged the rezoning for One Broadway Plaza and successfully pushed for a referendum, halting progress on the project.

Santa Ana City Council

The local government body that has approved and revised the One Broadway Plaza project over the past two decades.

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What’s next

Santa Ana residents are invited to weigh in on the latest proposal for One Broadway Plaza during a Sunshine Ordinance community meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held both virtually and in person at Beale's Texas BBQ (formerly Original Mike's) at 100 S. Main St.

The takeaway

The ongoing saga of One Broadway Plaza highlights the complex challenges of balancing economic development, community priorities, and the need for affordable housing in Santa Ana. As the city considers the latest revised plan, this project will continue to be a focal point for discussions about the future growth and transformation of the region.