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Flores, Dora <br />From: Laura Pantoja < <br />Sent: Tuesday, January 20, 2026 12:59 PM <br />To: eComment <br />Subject: Support THRIVE Santa Ana <br />Attention: This email originated from outside of City of Santa Ana. Use caution when opening attachments or links. <br />Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor, <br />My name is Laura Pantoja, and I am the owner and an employee of La Milpa Cafe Coop. <br />I am writing to support THRIVE Santa Ana's efforts to acquire 1901 W Walnut St. Following the successful <br />grand opening of La Colmena in April 2025, THRIVE has been awarded state funds to permanently purchase <br />this site. I urge the City of Santa Ana to facilitate this transition by directing staff to draft a purchase and sale <br />agreement and an Economic Subsidy Report, allowing the City to accept THRIVE's offer of $852,000. <br />The sale would provide a significant fiscal benefit by generating $852,000 in unrestricted revenue for the <br />General Fund. Furthermore, La Colmena has already revitalized a previously vacant property into a community <br />hub that enhances neighborhood safety and quality of life. The project has created over 45 jobs to date, with at <br />least 10 additional part-time positions anticipated over the next five years. <br />In 2020, the City approved a 99-year lease for this site that included an option to purchase. Finalizing this sale <br />supports the long-term establishment of the community land trust (CLT) model in Santa Ana, ensuring <br />permanent community stewardship of local land. <br />Thank you for your consideration. <br />Best regards, <br />Laura Pantoja <br />La Milpa Cafe Coop <br />https://www.instagram.com/lamilpacafe/?hl=en <br />