While decades of discussion regarding the addition of a veterans cemetery in Irvine ended in the city’s inability to agree on a specific site last year, a recent City Council vote will finally bring a veterans memorial to Irvine. On Tuesday, Feb. 8, the Irvine City Council unanimously agreed to begin feasibility studies to include a veterans memorial park within the 125-acre botanical garden at the ARDA site.

The item, presented by Irvine City Council Member Larry Agran, was seconded by Irvine Mayor Farah Khan. The discussion was a continuation of sorts from the Great Park Board Meeting on January 25, which focused on approving feasibility studies for a massive botanical garden project within the Great Park.

Agran, who has been the county’s most visible proponent for the use of the ARDA site in terms of both a veterans cemetery and a veterans memorial, spoke to Irvine Weekly on Wednesday, Feb. 9, to share his thoughts on the vote.

“I’m gratified that we at least have the agreement on commencing demolition, site clearance and site clean up, that’s important. It will no doubt include the preservation of historic buildings – some of the existing runway and tarmac, the aircraft control tower, and the original hangers that are there as well,” he said. “At least there’s some forward movement finally, to turn that eyesore into something really beautiful and that will properly honor the veterans who served and sacrificed over the years.”

Prior to the vote, Councilmember Tammy Kim presented an alternative motion, which was seconded by Khan, that would include a five-acre veterans memorial within the feasibility study for the 125-acre botanical garden. Kim also vocalized her goal to have the project shovel ready by January 2023.

“We have to be clear that we all want the same thing here. We want put the park into the Great Park,” Kim said. “I would like to modify the motion to include it as part of the botanical garden feasibility study. It is an eyesore and we do need to move forward.”

While Agran eventually supported Kim’s motion, he emphasized that he would like to direct the city manager and staff to, “establish a planning and conceptual design process,” and later emphasized the five-acres seemed small in comparison to 125-acres.

“[Five-acres], that’s frankly an insult to the veterans and veterans families, as well as to service personnel  generally. Out of 125 acres there’s one tiny nod, that thousands and thousands served and sacrificed — that in my judgement is something that will have to be changed,”  he said. “We’ll see what staff comes back with, in terms of site clearance, clean up and demolition – that will help inform our thinking going forward.”

From a veteran’s perspective, Nick Berardino, a Vietnam veteran and president of VALOR, an O.C.-based veterans association, said this situation creates a rare “win-win” scenario for both Irvine and the veterans of the Orange County Veterans Community.

Speaking by phone on Wednesday, Feb. 9, Berardino explained to Irvine Weekly that despite any disagreements on the council, he was pleased by the outcome.

“This was a win for everyone. Now the veterans community can solely focus on Gypsum Canyon to build a cemetery, and the citizens of Irvine will have a beautiful, historic botanical gardens and within that will be a memorial garden paying tribute to veterans,” he said. “This accelerates the already strong momentum – it’s a win-win. In 56 years I’ve rarely seen a situation result in a win-win – this one’s a perfect example.”

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.