HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 - PUBLIC COMMENT_MedranoLos Angeles / Orange Counties
Building and Construction
Trades Council
Affiliated with the Building & Construction Trades Dept., AFL-CIO
1626 Beverly Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026-784
Phone (213) 483-4222
(714) 827-6791
Fax (213) 483-4419 RON MILLER
Executive Secretary
September 25, 2020
PUBLIC COMMENT – Speaking on Item 2
Good evening Mr. Chairman and members of the Planning Commission,
My name is Ernesto Medrano and I am the Orange County Representative for the Los Angeles and
Orange Counties Building and Construction Trades Council. We represent 140,000 hard working men
and women from our 49 affiliated Trade Organizations.
We are writing to urge the Planning Commission to support the “3rd and Broadway” Project (Item 2).
The project will create hundreds of wage-high skilled construction jobs and these jobs have a significant
multiplier effect on other jobs in the area. At a time of economic recession due to the pandemic, the
timing to get shovels in the ground is imperative. The revenue it will bring to the City will help maintain
the critical services that the municipal team provides.
The Building Trades Council are in talks with Mr. Mike Harrah, the Developer, to achieve a Project Labor
Agreement that can provide the project with a skilled and trained workforce , strong safety
enhancements for the construction workers. The Project will provide a pathway to middle class
opportunities for not just Santa Ana and but the entire region. It will create demand to recruit young
men and women into our Joint Labor Management Apprenticeship Programs. The project will also
support Veterans through our Helmets to Hardhats program. The quality union jobs created will have
great healthcare and defined retirement plans.
The “3rd and Broadway” Project will have access to the Orange Street Car route so that the guests,
residents and community can get out of their cars and help the environment and alleviate traffic.
The project is in the nearby cultural attractions like the Artist Village, Civic Center and the recently
revived Downtown Santa Ana with its nearby galleries, restaurants, breweries, and street art.
Again, on behalf of our members, we urge the Commission to approve this project. Thank you for your
hard work and service to the great City of Santa Ana.
Fraternally,
Ernesto Medrano
Council Representative
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