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Dear Santa Ana City Council and Mayor: <br /> My name is Cynthia Perez ,and I am a resident of Santa Ana <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-awned 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 /> I encourage everyone at city Council to support this new phase of sustainability. <br /> For over 30 years,I have seen the lack of space not being used by the city until now. <br /> This community space has created different projects and a safe heaven for folks <br /> I hope to know that my daughter has somewhere to go to when she gets older. <br /> We spend about two days a week in this community space and it has impacted <br /> Our family, knowing that we can continue thriving in Santa Ana <br /> Thank you in advance for your attention and consideration. <br /> Best regards, <br /> Name: Cynthia Perez <br /> Contact Information: <br /> Ward Number: <br /> In solidarity, <br /> Ricardo MUfiiZ I Director of Community Engagement <br /> THRIVE Santa Ana Community Land Trust <br /> ricardo@thrivesantaana.ora <br /> httus://www.thrivesantaana.ora/ <br />