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01 /16/26 <br />Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor: <br />My name is Gelacio Mendez , and I am a Co -Owner of Cooperative at La Colmena <br />I am writing in support of THRIVE Santa Ana's efforts to purchase and permanently own 1901 <br />W Walnut St. In April 2025, THRIVE and the City celebrated the grand opening of La Colmena, <br />Santa Ana's first community land trust (CLT) project. Now, THRIVE has been awarded state <br />funds to permanently acquire this site, and we are asking the City of Santa Ana to help make <br />this the first CLT-owned asset in our City. Please direct staff to draft a purchase and sale <br />agreement, accompanied by an Economic Subsidy Report, that will allow the City to accept <br />THRIVE's offer of $852,000. <br />The proposed subsidy and sale would result in a tremendously positive fiscal impact for the City. <br />The City would generate $852,000 in unrestricted revenue directly to the General Fund. La <br />Colmena has already proven to revitalize a vacant and blighted City -owned property into a <br />vibrant community hub that improves the safety and quality of life of the surrounding <br />neighborhood. The project has already generated at least 5 full-time jobs and more than 10 <br />temporary jobs since opening, as well as over 30 jobs throughout the duration of construction. <br />Through future programming and growth of existing businesses, THRIVE anticipates at least 10 <br />additional part time jobs will be created as a result of the project over the next 5 years. <br />In 2020, the City of Santa Ana approved a 99-year lease of this site to THRIVE, which includes <br />an Option to Purchase — supporting the long term development of a community land trust <br />strategy in Santa Ana. Over 300 CLTs throughout the United States provide opportunities for <br />local communities to own and steward land, assuring access to affordable commercial spaces, <br />urban farms, housing, and open spaces. As THRIVE prepares for additional projects in the <br />coming years, the purchase and sale of La Colmena will mark a firm step in the establishment of <br />the CLT model in Santa Ana. <br />Thank you in advance for your attention and consideration. <br />Best regards, <br />6(46v D' PaV e,2 <br />Name: Gelacio Mendez <br />Contact Information: 310- 809-3323 <br />Ward Number: 5 <br />