The phrase “Downtown La Habra” usually draws blank stares.

And that’s because, for the most part, it doesn’t exist.

But for decades, officials of the 61,000-population city have been discussing revitalizing the city’s core, and last year they made it a part of their 20-year vision for La Habra, outlined in the community’s 2035 general plan.

While surrounding north county cities have tapped their small town charm – there’s Uptown Whittier, downtown Fullerton and downtown Brea –one of La Habra’s main thoroughfares fell stagnant.

The city defines the downtown as a six-block segment on La Habra Boulevard. The blocks, between Walnut and Cypress Streets, have the bones for it, with one-story storefronts fronting the street, but it hasn’t drawn locals for decades.

It’s a place to get lawnmowers and vacuums repaired. There’s party rentals, a paralegal and a couple hair salons.

It was vibrant once, nearly 100 years ago. In the 1920s, there was the Garden Theater, which had an orchestra and “high class vaudeville acts” and a drug store and soda fountain in a beautiful marble and cream glazed brick building. In 1938, future President Richard Nixon opened his first law office there.

If the city could finally come up with a clear vision, cost and get cooperation from the downtown landowners, a revitalization could come together quicker than you think, said La Habra Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Mark Sturdevant.

“I don’t think people can visualize what downtown La Habra could be,” he said.

Andrew Ho, who oversees development for the city, can see what it could be. Ho sees blocks of locally owned businesses, such as coffee shops, restaurants and boutiques. The city could fund infrastructure improvements to make the area better for pedestrians, with improved lighting, crosswalks and landscaping. Financial incentives could lure the first tenants.

But such a downtown, bandied about for decades, could take another 20 years to realize, he said.

Some recent changes to the city’s zoning code do show baby steps, however.

The city recently changed low-performing commercial areas to mixed-use, which landed the city its first luxury apartment complex along with three-story homes aimed at creatives and 71 single-family homes powered by solar panels on the current City Hall site – the last two are walking distance to downtown.

Resident Tiffany Encino thinks a “younger person’s touch” could bring brighten up now-bleak La Habra Boulevard.

“I would love to see La Habra Boulevard revitalized,” she said.

Encino, 31, an Anaheim native, says she goes to The Camp and The Lab in Costa Mesa with her husband and two children – drawn to unique, one-off restaurants and shops. She thinks “that vibe” in La Habra could work, drawing locals to gastropubs or clothing stores, she said.

“I think if they were to really consider it, it would be an investment in the city’s future, it wouldn’t be so old and rundown as it is now,” Encino said. “Beside from the library, which we frequent often, there’s nothing down there…There’s no one going to that part of the city.”

“I think there’s the heart for it, people want it. Is there the political will for it?” Ho said. “Where does the downtown rank in terms of projects for the community?”

Mayor Michael Blazey said “the general plan clearly spells out we want to make the downtown core more pedestrian friendly and revitalize it.”

But, he added, since the city can’t buy up property and redevelop it, it’ll have to happen somewhat organically.

“It’ll be up to future business owners and the folks who look at La Habra as an opportunity for development that will really create those opportunities,” he said, pointing to the new $19 million civic center and residential developments as signs of the future.

If you asked Encino years ago if she’d end up in La Habra, she’d say no. The city wasn’t on her list until she started looking to buy a home. She and her husband could afford a condo, at most, in other parts of the county, but in La Habra they could have a single-family home with room to grow.

She thinks there’s lots of younger families lured to north county as home ownership in Orange County becomes more and more out of reach. In May, the median selling price for a home in La Habra was $413,350, compared to $627,550 in Brea and $507,375 in Fullerton, according to a Zillow research.

G Burger, a gourmet burger joint that opened five years ago at La Habra Boulevard and Cypress Street, is an example of what the city could attract, Mayor Blazey said. The small restaurant has people driving from Placentia, Fullerton and Whittier for its creatively topped burgers, management said.

Adie Kim came from Fullerton on a recent weekday to the restaurant because a friend told her it was good. She usually takes her family to Fullerton or Koreatown in Los Angeles to eat out. She said if she heard good things, she wouldn’t be opposed to making the eight minute drive to La Habra Boulevard.

“Maybe I’d try something like this, but I don’t seek out La Habra to hangout” she said.

Contact the writer: jclay@ocregister.com