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From:Jean Poppa <br />To:Bernal, Sarah <br />Subject:First American building <br />Date:Monday, September 23, 2019 11:39:01 AM <br />Mr. Mark McLoughlin <br />Chairman, and members of the Planning Commission <br />Planning Commission, City of Santa Ana. <br />AGENDA ITEM 4 <br />This email is in effort to "re-think" completely demolishing the historic First American <br />building on the corner of Fifth and Main St., especially to replace it with a large mixed-use <br />building with 95% residential. Downtown Santa Ana has historic charm, but inch by inch, <br />foot by foot, the City is destroying the Charm. To illustrate, "One Broadway" project. How <br />many years has it "sat" as a boarded up pile of dirt waiting for it to become the tallest tower in <br />Orange County? For what reason does it need to be the tallest tower other than to be targeted <br />by people with unsound minds? What about 4th Street ---the beautiful charm of 4th street, <br />with cars parking in front of the stores making access very easy --now, that is going away just <br />so a street car named "Un-desire" going to Nowhereville can be put in place. For what <br />significant reason?. What about the horrendous large and tall building that is planned for <br />Main Street near the Discovery museum and the Santiago Park neighborhood? It seems that <br />Santa Ana is building and building "mixed use" buildings, with majority being residential. <br />Just because it is a trend now to build "mixed use" buildings, doesn't mean you have to go <br />crazy and "do the popular thing." Look what happened with the Willard neighborhood. That <br />area became "apartment crazy." Overloaded with apartment houses of which most look run- <br />down now with toys, clothes and other personal items stuffed out on the balconies. Overload <br />of cars on the Street. The children and families that live in those apartments have no parks or <br />green areas close by to enjoy. And don't say they can go to Willard school playground. That <br />doesn't work. Very poor planning by the City. <br />Truly, if anything, do the right thing and consider not completely demolishing the First <br />American Title building and at least stipulate that a portion of the historic facade be saved to <br />preserve some historic value of an old building that is part of Santa Ana's history. <br />Sincerely, <br />Jean Poppa