Correspondence - Item 1 - Closed Session

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• 17701 Cowan Ave.#200,Irvine,CA 92614 (949)250-0909 Jan uary20, 2026 Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Council City of Santa Ana 20 Civic Center Plaza Santa Ana, CA 92701 Re: 1901 W. Walnut St. Land Acquisition Dear Mayor Amezcua and Members of the Santa Ana City Council, We are writing to express strong support for THRIVE Santa Ana's efforts to purchase and permanently own the property located at 1901 W. Walnut Street. In April 2025„ THRIVE and the City of Santa Ana celebrated the grand opening of La Colmena, the City's first community land trust (CLT) project. Building on this milestone, THRIVE has now been awarded state funding to permanently acquire the site. We respectfully urge the City to help make this property the first CLT-owned asset in Santa Ana. Specifically, we ask that the City Council direct staff to prepare a purchase and sale agreement, along with the required Economic Subsidy Report, that would allow the City to accept THRIVE's offer of$852,000 for the property. This proposed sale would result in a highly positive fiscal and community impact for Santa Ana. The City would generate $852,000 in unrestricted revenue deposited directly into the General Fund. La Colmena has already demonstrated its value by transforming a long-vacant and blighted property into a vibrant community hub that enhances neighborhood safety, economic activity, and quality of life. Since opening, the project has generated at least five permanent, full-time jobs and more than ten temporary jobs, in addition to over thirty jobs created during the construction phase. Looking ahead, through expanded programming and the growth of existing small businesses, THRIVE anticipates the creation of at least ten additional part-time jobs over the next five years. In 2020, the City of Santa Ana approved a 99-year lease of the site to THRIVE, including an Option to Purchase, reflecting the City's commitment to the long-term development of a community land trust strategy. Across the country, more than 300 CLTs empower communities to collectively own and steward land, ensuring long-term access to affordable commercial spaces, housing, urban agriculture, and open space. As THRIVE advances additional projects in the coming years, the acquisition of La Colmena will represent a foundational step in establishing the CLT model in Santa Ana. We respectfully urge your support in helping secure La Colmena as a permanent community asset for the residents of Santa Ana. '--- ar Executive Director