As part of the City’s ongoing efforts to promote Garden Grove’s newest resort area, International WEST, representatives from the City of Garden Grove’s Agency for Community Development will take the International WEST Master Plan to the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA) Convention in Orlando, Florida.

IAAPA, the largest international trade association for amusement facilities worldwide, attracts over 1,300 exhibitors from more than 100 countries around the world to their November 2007 show. Representatives from industries such as amusement parks, aquariums, themed attractions, family entertainment centers, shopping centers, and water parks attend the show.

The high-profile convention provides an excellent opportunity for the City to present a visual display with informative literature about the International WEST concept to potential developers.

International WEST is Garden Grove’s developing vision of a new, 500-acre resort and entertainment destination located along Harbor Boulevard, just two miles south from the world-famous Disney Resort area. The Master Plan includes a dynamic mix of upscale dining, shopping, hotel, and entertainment venues.

A new Sheraton Hotel located on the west side of Harbor Boulevard, south of Chapman Avenue, will join a growing number of premier luxury hotels found within Garden Grove’s new resort area, International WEST. Construction started earlier this year. The building topped out in August. It's on schedule to open in April 2008.

The latest hotel addition will visibly complement Garden Grove’s upscale hotel district with a striking, seven-story structure offering guests their choice of 288 modernly-designed hotel rooms.

Developed by Kam Sang Company, Inc., the new Sheraton Hotel will offer an extensive list of amenities including a full service restaurant, pool, indoor exercise facility, and spacious hotel rooms.

This summer, the City of Garden Grove Agency for Community Development reviewed qualified development teams to design and construct a mixed-use, entertainment themed project in International WEST.

The site is 40 acres and has been named the "Central Hub" for its proximity between the Disney theme parks, Hotel Node, and proposed International WEST theme parks. The area is located 1.5 miles from Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. It was awarded to McWhinney Enterprises in September.

The McWhinney proposal is for a 1,200 room hotel with an integrated four to six acre water park amenity for the hotel guests, up to 80,000 square feet of meeting space, and 120,000 square feet of commercial space to include retail, dining, and entertainment uses. McWhinney helped pioneer and kick-start International WEST seven years ago when he developed three hotels (Hilton Garden Inn, Hampton Inn, and the Homewood Suites) and four restaurants (Buca di Beppo, Outback, Joe's Crab Shack, and Red Robin) at International WEST's Hotel Node at the intersection of Harbor Boulevard and Chapman Avenue. The proposal is for 28 acres of the Central Hub. (see preliminary drawing)

Serving as the hub of the City’s Emergency Communications Center, is the Garden Grove Police Department’s new Mobile Emergency Communications/Command Center. The customized, 40-foot, state-of-the-art vehicle is designed to provide crucial public safety services following a potential terrorist attack or natural disaster. Features of the Command Center include four communications dispatch stations, a command center work area for management of on-the-scene personnel, an exterior workstation for line personnel, and the latest in satellite and cellular technology.

© 2007 International WEST. All rights reserved.