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BI <br />P L A C E M A K I N G <br />PROJECTS <br />Regularly, cities understand that hcving vacant lots especially, <br />in a downtown represents blight, disinvestment, and lowers <br />surrounding property value while also diminishing tax revenue, <br />increasing crime and graffiti, and often leads to high <br />management costs for the city and it's police department. <br />Therefore, to alleviate this problem of vacant space, when <br />local resident Ruben Salazar first saw the BLUE LOT in <br />Downtown, rather than a vacant lot he saw an amazing <br />opportunity. Ruben imagined the lot filled with people enjoying <br />their weekend. He imagined his own Reggae Band performing <br />live in the lot. He could imagine mural programs on walls <br />around the lot to keep youth from getting involved in tagging <br />and gangs - Ruben saw a space where youth would become <br />place defining muralists who their community would admire for <br />their talents and leadership in the arts. Needless to say, the <br />BLUE LOT motivated Ruben. So what did he do? He found and <br />connected with the owner of the lot to share his vision. His <br />vision being accepted by the property owner allowed him to <br />formed a partnership. Since the start many amazing things <br />have happened in the transformation of the BLUE LOT into a <br />downtown community center. Through the activation of the lot, <br />Ruben learned that this lot is a key competitive asset for <br />implementing a number of economic development strategies: <br />creating jobs, increasing tax revenue, improving transportation <br />infrastructure, and attracting residents to enjoy safe and fun <br />activities. Ruben stated: "I have been working for many years to <br />make this vision come true. The BLUE LOT space has since <br />provided many opportunities for business incubation like Gente <br />Night Market, Musical Performances, Art Projects with Santa <br />Ana College and SAUSD, it has been used by churches and <br />other nonprofit groups to fundraise, donate gifts of backpacks <br />and food for the community and more." What Ruben has shown <br />is that these types of uses for other vacant land and <br />abandoned structures represent an unparalleled opportunity <br />for the economic growth and recovery in urban areas like <br />Downtown. Many of the brick and mortar businesses in <br />Downtown like Blackmarket Bakery and Munchies Diner started <br />as vendors. Munchies in particular started its business at the <br />BLUE LOT and is now a full fledged Brick and Mortar in <br />Downtown. Ruben has been working with PlacemakingUS <br />Leadership to develop the lot plan for this site. <br />BLUE LOT PROJECT <br />