Irvine Residents to Benefit from New Open Space: The Gateway Preserve Project

An expansive new open space preserve was approved for Irvine residents, set to transform the site of a long-standing industrial asphalt plant that had been operating in the northern outskirts of the city for three decades. The Irvine City Council held a special meeting on April 11, 2023, during which they gave the green light to an agreement that involved purchasing and decommissioning the All American Asphalt plant, making way for the creation of the Gateway Preserve. Simultaneously, the City reached an agreement with the Irvine Company, which entailed the transfer of 475 acres of land to the City. Out of this, approximately 70 acres could be designated for residential development to cover the costs of acquiring the asphalt plant.

The plant had become a source of trouble for residents due to increasing complaints about odors and air quality issues. In response, the city filed a nuisance lawsuit against the plant’s operator, All American Asphalt (AAA), in 2020. The proposed plans, revealed by the city on Feb. 28, would ensure the shutdown of AAA and the handover of the facility to the City. However, some final steps remained to be taken to solidify the plan.

Replacing the asphalt plant, the Gateway Preserve would be established, returning the land to its natural state and offering new recreational and environmental opportunities to residents. Moreover, it would serve as a direct link to the vast 20,000 acres of open space situated north of Irvine. The creation of the Gateway Preserve stemmed from a land acquisition agreement concerning the All American Asphalt plant on Jeffrey Road in North Irvine. The City of Irvine intended to develop the acquired land into hundreds of acres of accessible open space and residential housing in North Irvine, while also coordinating the asphalt plant’s closure. The overarching plan encompassed the acquisition and shutdown of the All American Asphalt plant, extending the Jeffrey Open Space Trail to the North Irvine Open Space, establishing two new thematic parks, adding more hiking and biking trails, and constructing a new residential village in line with North Irvine’s master plan.

The vision for the Gateway Preserve would be shaped collaboratively by the city and the community in the following months. Preliminary concepts included the introduction of new trails, restoration of natural habitats, the incorporation of two thematic parks, and possibly the inclusion of a small interpretive center. One of the key trails, known as the Canyon Trail, was envisioned to pass under the 241 toll road, creating an uninterrupted connection to the 20,000-acre Northern Open Space Preserve.

The agreed-upon deal necessitated the City to purchase the asphalt plant from All American Asphalt. To fund this purchase, the city planned to develop approximately 70 acres of land, which Irvine Company generously donated at no cost. The intention was to create a potential city-planned residential neighborhood, and the city would collaborate with a future homebuilder to align with neighboring villages’ design.

Various potential uses were considered for the Gateway Preserve, including extending the Jeffrey Open Space Trail, establishing a residential village, accommodating the Irvine Ranch Conservancy Native Seed Farm, designating a Special Use Site, and creating secondary trails.