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<br />Thomas, Jeannette
<br />
<br />From: Randi Iggulden [cyberwife@sbcglobal.net]
<br />Tuesday, July 06, 2004 3:32 PM
<br />Bist, Lisa; Garcia, Mike; Solorio, Jose; achirsty@ci.santa-ana.ca.us; Franklin, Brett; Alvarez, Claudia;
<br />Pulido, Miguel
<br />Subject: A Vote in Favor of the "Big Building"--with PROPER Planning!!!
<br />
<br />Sent:
<br />To:
<br />
<br />Council Members--this is the message I mailed to my neighbors in Floral Park.
<br />
<br />I somehow knew that when I said I was in support of the "big building" that I would not find a big group of
<br />others who would take my stance. Here are some of the points that I have considered.
<br />
<br />1. I will clarify that I am in support of the building as long as they have done the homework on how to address
<br />the traffic issues--as well as, parking, garbage, water, sewer, and all basic infastructure issues. I have not been
<br />to the meetings, so I cannot speak as to the extent of the research and plans that have been laid out in this
<br />HUGE and important area ofinfastructure.
<br />
<br />2. I think that growing our downtown area is exciting and in the long run will really make a change for the
<br />better. We need people living, working, and playing in our down town. I guess I am a city gal at heart! The
<br />lofts are awesome and there are many more planned for over at the train depot area. Ifthese same people who
<br />can afford to purchase these lofts can also work downtown, shop downtown, go to cultural events downtown
<br />and have their kids go to the schools downtown---all without using their cars, we will then have acheived
<br />something great! Which leads to my next point...
<br />
<br />3. Centerline will really bring this all together. From the Centerline maps I have seen, it looks like the traffic
<br />could be greatly reduced if the workers at the new building will take the train into the downtown area. Mind
<br />you, we need to see some parking garages somewhere (most likely down by JW A, so that people can park and
<br />then ride, if they are commuting from other locales). I look forward to my kids going to Mater Dei on the
<br />centerline, instead of me driving my car. I am so glad that I won't have to park my car at the airport when I go
<br />on trips. I am trying to figure out if! can actually ride it to work too. Having lived in Washington DC and used
<br />the subway for all my transportation needs, I see that the way we will free up traffic in Santa Ana, is to make it
<br />a downtown that is based on public transportation. And for those who insist on driving their cars they may find
<br />that if traffic is bad enough they will finally see the value to the centerline. I have been around the centerline
<br />type system up in Portland, and it is quiet and pollution free. I think many people think of it as a real "Train",
<br />one that is noisy and intrusive. It is not like that at all! I personally welcome getting more cars off the roads,
<br />less pollution, less noise, and less use of gasoline. When other cities see what good public transportation can
<br />do I would hope they would join into the centerline network and have it work for their cities too. Yah, I know
<br />it's another topic--but it really is paramount to making the downtown less congested.
<br />
<br />4. As far as the safety of the children... it would be very easy to put in pedestrian bridges over the streets that
<br />the kids need to cross in order to catch buses, the centerline, go to other buildings, etc. Children in large cities--
<br />New York, DC, Philadelphia, and the likes have been going to inner city schools (both public and private) for
<br />many many years. There are ways of maintaining safety and also promoting the excitement of being in the city-
<br />-being in a creative place full of vitality, culture, movement, color, and sounds. I think that these things are part
<br />of the vision of both OC High School of the Arts and EI Sol. I don't see the real conflict of the Broadway Plaza
<br />Building and educating our children. If the city does this right and requires the developers to help do this rig}-
<br />the entire area can be a really neat and SAFE place to live, work, educate, and play.
<br />
<br />OK, I have made my point. Thanks for listening. :)
<br />
<br />7/7/2004
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<br />75F-116
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