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1. It provides the opportunity for a significant cultural anchor to bring a historic pedigree and architectural <br />value to the surrounding properties <br />2. The structure is located within an underserved central neighborhood with the potential to be a <br />community resource, library service expansion, and a fine arts destination <br />LIST OF ERRORS AND OMISSIONS IN STAFF REPORT <br />-- Report did not mention that the condition of the property was largely the result of city neglect. Dozens of local <br />residents had written, called and appealed to both City Staff and local Representatives over the course of a decade, only <br />to have most of these appeals ignored. * See Timeline Below * <br />-- Report did not properly assess parking. Parking for the property is plentiful as there are over 150 space in a lot directly <br />across from it at a retail center that includes a Dollar Tree and WIC store. Approximately 70 of the parking spots are <br />empty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. <br />-- Report did not mention that the parcel was small, too small to develop without completely destroying the firehouse in <br />order to build a viable low-income multiple family development. <br />Report did not mention the long history of community advocacy and concern for the property. * See timeline below. <br />Report did not mention historical significance of the property to the surrounding community. Nothing in the report <br />talks about the economic impact destroying this property would have on the built environment, property values and <br />cultural life of the surrounding neighborhood. <br />TIMELINE OF ADVOCACY <br />-- As soon as the former tenant, a local non-profit had its lease end at the location in the mid-2000's, several local <br />neighbors inquired about the property. Pacific Park/Eastside Neighborhood Leader Selica Diaz had gone on record as <br />being one of the earliest advocates for this property. <br />-- Former City Manager and head of Parks & Recreation, Gerardo Mouet had "promised" the property to several groups <br />from the mid-2000's until he left in 2017. Some of these commitments included full presentations within formal <br />Commission (Art Commission) and Community (Neighborhood Alliance, Eastside Neighborhood, Friends of the Cypress <br />Street Fire Station) Meetings <br />--After Mr Mouet's agency (Parks & Rec) stopped administering the Arts Commission, some Art Commissioners asked <br />staff about the property and Mouet's presentation of it as a Community Gallery. Staff (Ron Ono) responded that the <br />property was to be used as storage for Parks & Rec equipment and that he would notify Art Commissioners if anything <br />changed. <br />-- While Mr Mouet was City Manager, he proposed the property be used to house the Santa Ana Library History Room <br />and a community effort was organized around this, the Friends of the Cypress Street Fires Station. A series of local <br />dinners prepared by local Chef Richard Espinachio among others were to cook a series of benefits to raise funds for the <br />Fire Station's restoration. <br />-- As soon as Mr Mouet left the City in 2017, all efforts to advocate for the property were discouraged by City Staff. <br />Emails were sent to Staff by neighborhood leaders Chris Schmidt, Selica Diaz, Ginelle Hardey, Irma Jaregui and Sandra <br />"Pocha" Pena Sarmiento among others, local residents, historians, etc. Many of these appeals were for increased <br />security and physical barriers to be installed to protect the Fire House. Some of these requests were for permission to do <br />a series of community cleanups, and for community groups (Art Commissioners, Neighborhood Association, Historical <br />Groups, After -School Study Groups). <br />-- After City Staff ignored most of the early calls for service, the property started getting broken into by homeless. These <br />squatters started setting fire to the property. <br />