On December 12th, 2023, the City of Anaheim unveiled the results of an extensive study on the Brookhurst Corridor, home to Little Arabia—the nation’s first officially recognized Arab American urban district. Little Arabia accommodates hundreds of diverse businesses from different cultures, including Lebanese, Yemeni, Turkish, Iranian, Italian, and Vietnamese.

The City of Anaheim contracted the consulting firm Dudek to lead a study and analysis of the Brookhurst Corridor based on a 2022 directive by former City Councilmember Gloria Ma’ae. Consultants from Dudek brought members from the city and the community to exchange ideas, concerns, and opinions about what works in Brookhurst and what needs improvement. The Arab American Civic Council participated in the study alongside other community members, providing insight and opinions gathered from community members. Some of the ideas provided by the Arab American Civic Council include: 

• Little Arabia branding and signage, including banners on Brookhurst.
• Encouragement of a business and community coalition to assist with street clean-up and maintenance 
• Street greenery for shade and design 
• Encouragement of Little Arabia to be codified in future city planning

Market Analysis: Positive Projections for Little Arabia

Dudek looked into district and street improvement options while analyzing the overall viability of the corridor, finding that the current market conditions of Little Arabia are ripe for a healthy future. Dudek’s analysis of the current market conditions within a 3-mile radius of the heart of Brookhurst found that “low vacancy rates and low asking lease rates in the Submarket (compared to County averages) suggest a healthy demand for retail” (Brookhurst Corridor Study, 2023). Further, Dudek’s market analysis found that there has been “robust” rent growth from 2017 to 2022, indicating that the COVID-19 pandemic had a limited impact on the market and that the market has grown since Little Arabia’s designation, moving upwards by about 3% from 2022 to 2023.  

However, despite the healthy growth and opportunity for businesses within a 1-mile radius of Brookhurst, tenants of Arab and MENA backgrounds have reported facing challenges when starting their businesses. Dudek’s report noted that the low vacancy rates along Brookhurst indicate a strong presence of Arabic-speaking audiences, but the market “remains somewhat soft” due to tenants’ access to capital. As noted in the report, “many of these retail tenants are first-time tenants and may lack the start-up capital and credit to secure larger, or newer spaces. In the near- to mid-term, redevelopment along Brookhurst should be approached carefully, as the smaller, non-corporate managed retail places and stand-alone properties offer opportunities for this class of local entrepreneurs.” 

This recommendation by Dudek’s report suggests that the City of Anaheim should consider first-generation tenants before larger, big-box corporate businesses to avoid pushing community members away. Further, this analysis suggests ensuring MENA community members are recognized in demographic and population data so that they have access to small business loans and capital.

How do People Feel about Brookhurst?

Dudek engaged with over 300+ residents during its 9-month study of the Brookhurst Corridor. The consultation group used surveys and free-form discussions to gather common themes on how the corridor is characterized. Some important themes that stood out include:

• 63% of respondents were residents of Anaheim or lived around Brookhurst. 
• A majority of respondents were consumers, with 70% of respondents shopping, dining, or using other services along Brookhurst. 
• A minority of respondents – 7% – were business owners or employees of businesses along Brookhurst. 
• 40% of 169 survey respondents showed care and a desire for an improved, safer Brookhurst, using terms such as “traffic,” “homeless,” and “dirty” in proximity to “home” and “good.”  
• Places of significance for the respondents include Cortina’s, In-N-Out, Ralph’s, Linbrook Bowl, Little Arabia, Forn al Hara, Desert Moon, and Al Amir Bakery, among many others.

Recommendations and Interventions

After nearly nine months of facilitated community discussions, business engagements, and walking tours, Dudek provided recommendations and interventions to the ten following themes:

1. Branding and Identity
2. Regional Partnerships
3. Events and Celebrations
4. Street Beautification
5. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety
6. Reconfigured Brookhurst Street
7. Development Regulations
8. Little Arabia Events
9. Little Arabia Designation
10. Operations and Management

The most immediate interventions include the following: 

1. Caltrans Sign on the 5 Highway:
   • A suggestion from Dudek’s plan is installing a Caltrans sign on the 5 Highway, a move aimed at beckoning travelers to explore Little Arabia and encouraging a sense of curiosity about the district’s cultural richness.

2. Expand Little Arabia South of Ball
   • An expansion of Little Arabia south of Ball Street, incorporating properties like Altayebat and Kareem’s Falafel, is a step recommended by Dudek. This expansion aligns with the joint effort to foster the district’s growth and inclusivity.

3. Including Little Arabia in the City’s Strategic Plan
   • Advocating for the district’s strategic positioning, Dudek and the city propose the inclusion of Little Arabia in the City’s Strategic Plan. This designation ensures that the district’s unique needs are considered in all facets of urban planning, fostering collaboration and support.

4. Bilingual Business Signage
   • In an effort to amplify the multicultural essence of Little Arabia, the recommendation for bilingual business signage has emerged. This proposal seeks to create a more inclusive and accessible environment, ensuring that both residents and visitors can fully engage with the diverse offerings of the district.

5. Cultural and Business District
   • Reflecting the importance of cultural expression, Dudek’s proposal includes the integration of Little Arabia into a citywide public art plan. The goal is to infuse the district with creative installations as visual testaments to its cultural heritage.
   • Focusing on empowering local businesses, the recommendation for Business Improvement District Plans is a joint effort to foster economic growth and create a supportive environment for entrepreneurship within Little Arabia.

6. Little Arabia Design Guidelines and Brookhurst Street Banners Program
   • To preserve the unique cultural character of Little Arabia, Dudek and the city propose establishing design guidelines. This measure aims to ensure that future developments harmonize with the distinctive aesthetic of the enclave.
   • Introducing the Brookhurst Street banners program is a key aspect of the branding strategy. This initiative aims to give the corridor a distinctive visual identity, showcasing Little Arabia’s diversity and enhancing the streetscape’s overall aesthetics

7. Cross-Marketing Between Regional Partners
   • The proposal fosters collaboration beyond the district and encourages cross-marketing initiatives with regional partners. This approach aims to amplify Little Arabia’s visibility, attracting a diverse audience and promoting cultural exchange.

8. Little Arabia Night Market and Food Festivals
   • Based on the success of past community events, Dudek suggests establishing regular Little Arabia Night Markets. These events, are envisioned as vibrant celebrations of cultural diversity and platforms for local businesses to showcase their unique offerings. Further, the events can spotlight the delights of Little Arabia, drawing food enthusiasts from across the region and establishing the district as a culinary destination.

9. Brookhurst Street Master Plan
   • Guiding the corridor’s evolution, Dudek and the city endorse creating a comprehensive Brookhurst Street Master Plan. This plan addresses concerns about traffic flow and accessibility while ensuring that future developments align with the community’s vision.
   • Adding to the allure of the district, the introduction of street trees and lighting promises to create a welcoming atmosphere for residents and visitors alike.

10. Updated BCCOZ (Brookhurst Corridor Commerical Overlay Zone)
    • Ensuring that future developments align with the community’s vision, the recommendation for an updated BCCOZ is part of the joint effort to balance economic development and preserve Little Arabia’s cultural integrity.

11. Brookhurst Taskforce and Little Arabia Steering Committee
    • To ensure ongoing community engagement, Dudek and the city propose the establishment of a Brookhurst Taskforce and Steering Committee. This platform provides residents, business owners, and stakeholders an opportunity to actively participate in shaping the future of Little Arabia.

Anaheim’s Cultural Investment

The conclusion of Dudek’s study signifies the city’s commitment to investing in its diverse communities and presents a transformative vision for the future of Little Arabia. Led by the consulting firm Dudek, the Brookhurst Corridor Study has generated recommendations and improvements to enhance the district’s identity, foster community engagement, and create a vibrant urban space.