tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post1760486090079521135..comments2023-08-02T05:05:26.872-07:00Comments on Life–At the Santiago Street Lofts: What Would You Build?Ben Dayhoehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03243062492871641795noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-12101559823365079602009-08-24T10:43:08.337-07:002009-08-24T10:43:08.337-07:00YES! And emphasis on coffee house.YES! And emphasis on coffee house.Erin.MacDougallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04240833753296499738noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-55696659353701674702008-08-19T23:26:00.000-07:002008-08-19T23:26:00.000-07:00Ahhh...Good threads never die.Gustavo had all the ...Ahhh...Good threads never die.<BR/>Gustavo had all the right to jump all over me about this thread.<BR/><BR/>When possible, my wife and I always try to support the local shops and one-offs.<BR/><BR/>Granted, I would love to see Downtown Santa Ana develop into a unique artistic and cultural enclave (our very own Abbot Kinney St. so to speak), but it's not going to happen (in this town) unless something drastic spurs economic growth.<BR/><BR/>For one, rezoning downtown to allow residential living in a non mixed-use dwelling will help the few restaurants flourish.<BR/><BR/>Second, we could definitely benefit from a chain establishment in downtown.<BR/><BR/>Just the other day I was speaking with the owners of Bistro 400 and they were thrilled with the idea of a Wahoo's Tacos moving to W. Fourth Street.<BR/><BR/>Wahoo's? Really?<BR/><BR/>Their mentality was to let a large corporation with big bucks handle the high cost of marketing to attracting people to Downtown Santa Ana.<BR/><BR/>Eventually the Wahoo's customers will discover Bistro, Tommy's and Jason's.<BR/><BR/>Since this post, I've tried on my own to reach several corporations to attract them to our quasi-downtown--I even went as far as to create a marketing package.<BR/><BR/>I was most shocked when my beloved Chipotle expressed no interest.<BR/><BR/>Sure, Chipotle isn't Mexican food, but every time I'm in a Chipotle, it's full of Mexicans (on both sides of the counter).<BR/><BR/>How are you going to tell me that you're a Mexican restaurant, but you don't want to come to an urban setting juxtaposed to a high-density Hispanic neighborhood?<BR/><BR/>But I digress like I always do.<BR/><BR/>A while back I made a contact at the city who deals with attracting large tenants at events like ICSC. He even said that it's been a difficult task attracting retail giants to this city.<BR/><BR/>When it all comes down to it my friend, it's not that I want a specific retailer/restaurant to fill my consumerist void, I just feel that this town, this area in particular deserves more--especially the residents.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for stopping by Fast Cat. I really do appreciate you bringing solutions to the table :)Ben Dayhoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03243062492871641795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-34094490503687438812008-08-19T22:30:00.000-07:002008-08-19T22:30:00.000-07:00As I was reading some of the comments in this thre...As I was reading some of the comments in this thread, I sort of had the same bewilderment as Gustavo. There were a number of national retailers included in people’s wish list for the area. However, I would think that those who want to be apart of the urban fabric would desire establishments that were more eclectic that give the area an uniqueness and character. <BR/><BR/>The national retailers as a general rule are somewhat risk adverse when choosing a location. They want to apply an already proven formula when it comes where they intend to merchandize their wares, such as a well known highly visible location with large anchor tenants. Therefore I think you need to temper your expectations.<BR/><BR/>I would suggest you contact the city’s economic development group and find out the specific establishments that are truly interested in moving to the area. Then organize a letter writing campaign to attract those particular retailers or restaurants. Trader Joes chose to build a store in the Bixby Knolls area of Long Beach over other possible SoCal locations that they had been studying based on interest that was conveyed by those residents.<BR/><BR/>Again you have to be somewhat realistic in who you can attract. If you have a Henry’s across from Mainplace and a Trader Joe’s at Bristol and MacArthur (I believe), then you are probably not going to get another specialty grocer a few miles from those competitors. There are only so many potential shoppers within any given area.Fast Cathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04888491543469552408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-17995535069893089782008-05-24T14:53:00.000-07:002008-05-24T14:53:00.000-07:00This man may enjoy the idea of maintaining the "pe...This man may enjoy the idea of maintaining the "permanent underclass" position of his unassimilated people, with a downtown that smacks of the 3rd world... but I would have him take note, that the noble culture of freedom that his family has fled to is one that deserves his full participation and not just his labor. His militant attitude is a smack in the face to the country from which he has taken so much, and he needs to stop with the <BR/>"self defeated, permanently regulated to the lower rungs of society" machismo, pull his head out of the sand, and stand up for something bigger than a country that was so awful, he had to flee from it. And Miguel? WE CAN TOO!<BR/>(and we can do it with with both feet firmly planted on US soil)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-38296697960060302402008-05-24T00:12:00.000-07:002008-05-24T00:12:00.000-07:00Wow. Someone has been diving through the archives....Wow. Someone has been diving through the archives. Welcome Miguel.<BR/><BR/>No one ever said they want to de-Mexicanize Santa Ana, just offer residents who live here what they deserve.<BR/><BR/>Do some homework on Santa Ana before it became what you call a "latin community".<BR/><BR/>People from all over wanted to visit this shiny metropolis. Does it make you proud that your "latin community" is often referred to as the asshole of Orange County?<BR/><BR/>Don't you want to give the youth something to aspire for? A community where they can take pride in rather being just a giant wall for them to write on?<BR/><BR/>How about becoming somewhere where they could see a great future for themselves, rather just a reason to get educated and the hell out?<BR/><BR/>How about a community where the educated youth choose to stay after finishing school and choose to continue to make Santa Ana their home, thus strengthening the foundation of this great city for generations to come?<BR/><BR/>Don't you think all of the people of Santa Ana deserve a downtown they are proud of and entertains a nightlife that supports ALL of the struggling businesses downtown?<BR/><BR/>Current Santa Ana does nothing for the youth but provide a breeding ground for ignorance and violence.<BR/><BR/>Sure, keep Santa Ana the way it is. The Renaissance Plan won't be the death of your "latin race", but rather a foolish belief in the status quo.<BR/><BR/>Or could you just be suffering from an acute case of xenophobia?<BR/><BR/>Cause that my friend, would be truly sad.Ben Dayhoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03243062492871641795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-83589003616791317202008-05-23T22:44:00.000-07:002008-05-23T22:44:00.000-07:00This is sad. Basically the rsp wants the mexican s...This is sad. Basically the rsp wants the mexican stores out of downtown santa ana.no chance because we will fight back against this.<BR/><BR/>leave downtown santa ana the way it is. viva. si se puede.<BR/><BR/>Santa Ana is my home.miguel azhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11182081010938035207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-88330765308455281402008-05-23T22:39:00.000-07:002008-05-23T22:39:00.000-07:00this is disgusting. basically you all want the lat...this is disgusting. basically you all want the latino people out of santa ana especially downtown. no chance what so ever. we'll fight back to the city council about this.<BR/><BR/>Santa ana is latin community just like la. fight the rsp. viva.miguel azhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11182081010938035207noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-88520536056924451732008-01-23T21:49:00.000-08:002008-01-23T21:49:00.000-08:00Sweetheart, why don't you explain it to me?Sweetheart, <BR/>why don't you explain it to me?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-80257648929884317962008-01-23T19:37:00.000-08:002008-01-23T19:37:00.000-08:00Emma,Do you even get it????Emma,<BR/><BR/>Do you even get it????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-816240991960999322008-01-23T18:12:00.000-08:002008-01-23T18:12:00.000-08:00To Poster #41 (whew thats alot of comments!) Not t...To Poster #41 (whew thats alot of comments!) Not too worried about "losing the war". Really, whats the worst that could happen? We lose some industrial business and and a ghetto and gain a downtown. I feel for those affected by this... I hope they find a place in the new downtown- I do. But the only thing thats gonna make me angry is if they manage to tie this whole thing up in committees for the next ten years until someone else comes up with a great idea for everyone to shit on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-75573173836251296282008-01-21T09:36:00.000-08:002008-01-21T09:36:00.000-08:00anonymous,I would like to talk with Joe Andrade, H...anonymous,<BR/><BR/>I would like to talk with Joe Andrade, Hopefully we all can have a meeting with him.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09679745463826768533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-44643855536841518692008-01-21T00:46:00.000-08:002008-01-21T00:46:00.000-08:00Robert,Ben,Urban Messiah & Frito,Thanks for feelin...Robert,Ben,Urban Messiah & Frito,<BR/>Thanks for feeling our frustration. I undrstand your thoughts on leaving Logan alone and not wanting to listen to the "Yuppie Assault".One of the biggest problems is that no one really truly understands the RSP and there are so many hidden agendas and surprises within the plan. It would be great to meet with differant groups but there is no time. The Draft EIR will be released next Friday and we only have 45 days to respond. Many of us responded to the NOP in 2006 and were told that our answers would be in the Draft EIR. If only a few respond to the EIR we may lose the War. And it is a War, we have been at battle since April of 2006 and have never let up.Many of the abandoned houses have already been "sold" to developers by the redevelopment agency. The City loves to hide those agenda items in the small print. Not all Industry is like Ware Disposal. She is the exception and the other Industrial Business owners would truly appreciate it if we were not lumped together with that mess she has going on!<BR/>Enough said..hopefully many of us can meet and exchange information and knowledge regarding the plan.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-50736327454571514882008-01-20T14:26:00.000-08:002008-01-20T14:26:00.000-08:00I want another RSP meeting as well.This time with ...I want another RSP meeting as well.<BR/>This time with just Lofties and Industrial owners. Lets just keep it simple for now. I'm really not interested in having Mr. Mecha call me a yuppie again. Especially when Im fighting hard to maintain a middle class income. His ilk can stay home and stew for a while. Or they can busy themselves looking for Urban Hipsters hiding in their bushes... I dont care what they do as long as they dont waste another meeting with militant horseshit.<BR/><BR/>The RSP need not include them at all. I say this not out of respect for the proud history of Santa Anas first Mexican Barrio, but out of the very practical reality that we just don't need it. The RSP need not mess with the Logan at all. It can stay. It isn't in the way of anything that matters.<BR/><BR/><B>Just leave them be.</B><BR/><BR/>All we need to turn this neighborhood around is for that little mall into the train station parking lot to get built. Do that.<BR/>And do storefronts with lofts above<BR/>all the way down Santa Ana Blvd from Grand to Bush.And we'll all enjoy a quality of life consistent with our mortgages and down town residents wont need to leave Santa Ana every time their shopping list calls for more than Tacos.<BR/><BR/>For now, let the Logan stand- its <I>NOT</I> in the way... Just start with the train station! It should be easy. <BR/><B>EVERYBODY WANTS THAT PART!</B><BR/><BR/>And visit my <A HREF="http://banditostyle.blogspot.com/ " REL="nofollow">BLOG</A>The Frito Banditohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09408541757473797309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-29463123361168373172008-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:002008-01-20T12:35:00.000-08:00Urban Messiah,I understand the peoples frustration...Urban Messiah,<BR/><BR/>I understand the peoples frustration. I was born and raised in this city. If you remember the civic center barrio that used to be where the police station and parking lot is? These people were forced out of there homes and were only giving a month to evacuate. They had bulldozers ready to demolish there homes. These people had no other choice but to give in since they didn't want to sell their homes.<BR/><BR/>I grew up on Washington and Broadway. It was a really peaceful neighborhood, Whites and Hispanics coexisted with each. Once the developers came they had a vision to make that place a thriving place to live. They built so many apartments in that area and look at it now it's a piss hole. My Dad decided to move us to Sandpoint, since gangs started to move in and didn't want us to be influenced by gangs. The apartments were to expensive for anybody to move in so all the immigrants moved in.<BR/><BR/>Now I understand why the people of Logan, are upset!<BR/>That area has a lot of history, but it also has it’s negative since barrio Logan gang started from there. I hope they don't demolish Logan since it's the oldest Mexican neighborhood in Orange County. I believe if the people from Logan would get together with the people of the Santiago lofts, Lacy, French Park and the industrial business I know all of you would come up with a solution so everybody would agree on and be happy.<BR/><BR/>I went to the RSP meeting and just observe everything that went on and it seemed to me that everybody is not working together. It seemed like if everybody is alienated with other communities. <BR/><BR/>Urban Messiah lets work together and bring all the communities together to come up with a solution that everybody can agree on. If nobody does it, civic center is going to do what ever it wants to. Just like it did with other older neighborhoods.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09679745463826768533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-21444146287449061572008-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:002008-01-19T09:34:00.000-08:0010-4 on that Robert. It's really not that hard, b...10-4 on that Robert. It's really not that hard, but when people try to force it, e.g. the city council, that's when things get complicated and ultimately fail. It was painfully obvious to me the other night that this RSP is forced and feels forced, they are simply trying too hard.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14837695723854122573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-41135430435049643652008-01-19T04:12:00.000-08:002008-01-19T04:12:00.000-08:00Gustavo,I'm a native in this city, I was born and ...Gustavo,<BR/><BR/>I'm a native in this city, I was born and raised here.<BR/>There is nothing wrong for us the the young professionals to want a nice urban place like the Gas light district or Downtown Long Beach. I'm very aware of the hidden gems that this city has to offer. <BR/><BR/>If you would ever talk to the us the natives that were born and raised here. We would tell you that we want an urban place were we can call our own.<BR/> <BR/>We don't want to drive miles, to go San Diego, Hollywood and Long Beach.<BR/><BR/>We all have to learn how to coexist with each other, where Santa Ana would be a thriving place for everybody.<BR/><BR/>Im Mexican-American, I would like Santa Ana to be a multi cultural place for Blacks, Whites, Asian, Arabs and Hispanics to live in peace and harmony.<BR/><BR/>This country does not belong to the whites, Mexicans, Spanish or Indians. this country belongs to God and he wants us to coexists with each other in peace and harmony.<BR/><BR/>This city has done a poor job, to try and keep us natives that were born and raised here. <BR/><BR/>This city has been a revolving door to immigrants like Ellis Island) All off us know what we went though here and don't want to start a family and raise our kids here and put them through what we went through, Like teachers and adults putting us down, that were stupid and never amount to anything.<BR/><BR/>if this city would do a better job of keeping us young natives to stay here, we would be the positive role models that these kids need and start being the role models that we never had.<BR/><BR/>These kids look up to the negative role models, like the cholos, since all us positives role models have left the city for a better life in another city.<BR/><BR/>If this city would keep us here. We would make a difference for the kids in this city to look up to us.<BR/><BR/>Just name me a few Positive role Models that are hispanic that these kids want to be when they grow up, that live in this city?Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09679745463826768533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-48495040147499033632008-01-18T13:22:00.000-08:002008-01-18T13:22:00.000-08:00Agreed. It was great meeting you too Sean.I'm hope...Agreed. It was great meeting you too Sean.<BR/><BR/>I'm hopeful we can become good friends and neighbors.<BR/><BR/>People like Robert are an inspiration to the youth in this city.Ben Dayhoehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03243062492871641795noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-90019790872684167442008-01-18T13:17:00.000-08:002008-01-18T13:17:00.000-08:00Sean,It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday at th...Sean,<BR/><BR/>It was a pleasure to meet you yesterday at the renaissance plan meeting. <BR/><BR/>What I would build on that area is a bunch of nudy bars and massage parlors, where we cant get a good lap with a happy ending. jk lol : ) <BR/><BR/>There's a lot of hiding gems in this city, where you could try some of the most delicious foods this city has to affor. <BR/><BR/>I too would like this renaissance plan to be like the gas lamp district in San Diego, Downtown Long beach on Pine and Sunset Blvd. on Hollywood.<BR/>But first we need to learn how coexist to with each other in this city.<BR/>Remember, what I spoke to you about yesterday.<BR/>People have roots, have been leaving here since the 1890s and are scared of the Brown Out plan.<BR/><BR/>Those houses have been in their familes for generations and have been passed down to the next son or daughter like a family heirloom.<BR/><BR/>If you want to know more about the history of Santa Ana go to Libreria Martinez or the Santa Ana library.<BR/><BR/>Keep in touch Sean, E-mail me or call me. I'll give you and your friends all the run down of these city and take you to hidden gems.Roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09679745463826768533noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-63531064563673432572008-01-17T16:27:00.000-08:002008-01-17T16:27:00.000-08:00Gustavo, No, it's got nothing to do with laziness ...Gustavo, <BR/><BR/>No, it's got nothing to do with laziness or being myopic and seriously, that's a shit low blow to throw. It's especially shitty when it's directed at someone who's putting out an effort to take civic awareness to higher level for his fellow resident and takes the time to create a blog which for the most part celebrates what's already here. Weak. I thought you were a little more pro than that, guess you proved me wrong. Insofar as walking to get a coffee or dinner, we all do that here and think nothing of it, hell, my wife and I walk to the mall. Although, since our own councilwoman was rolled as she walked to the last Ren Plan meeting not too far from here you'll understand if some of us are a little sketched walking around too much at night. And lastly, your post, on the Naval...WTF? Many of us agree that the name NoLo is well, not accurate and lame. But to sit and here and try and build some case against a bunch of people you don't know, well, that's the same logic many who live in communities around Santa Ana uses against those living here. So, if logic follows logic, your statements make you no better than the dic%head from Ladera Ranch driving around in his H2 wondering which Starbucks he'll hit next whilst wishing the "dumb Mexican" would get his POS lawn service truck out of the way. Wait, now I just did it, damn it. Sorry Ladera Ranch.Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14837695723854122573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-29230602187582058632008-01-17T12:16:00.000-08:002008-01-17T12:16:00.000-08:00If anyones wondering where the child-like anonymou...If anyones wondering where the child-like anonymous posts are coming from<BR/><BR/>ala <I>"You live in SanTana-get used to it!"</I><BR/><BR/>Well we can thank our friend Gustavo for riling the passions of the mentally challenged in his blog "Navel Gazing" in which he<BR/>blessed we loft owners with a link from his blog today- Where he called us all "Clueless hipsters who want to turn this city into Aliso Viejo" <BR/><BR/><A HREF="http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/" REL="nofollow">Click here to be insulted</A><BR/><BR/>I've lived here all my life and I'm still not a native enough for this man... <B>But I aint mad atcha Goose!</B><BR/>I know in order to meet your standards I would have had to have been born <I>much further south. </I> <BR/>As to the meeting, I'm ready.<BR/>But I think we can forget about being heard tonight. The audience will be well stacked with Philistines who've been told we're going to knock down their houses with them still inside... <I>Nice One Goose.</I> Somebody remind me to send him a nice fruit basket.The Frito Banditohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09408541757473797309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-49125544674919488942008-01-17T10:41:00.000-08:002008-01-17T10:41:00.000-08:00Ben: Wish list? Leave downtown SanTana as it is, s...Ben: Wish list? Leave downtown SanTana as it is, sans any gangs. Eliminate gangs via increased police force--not just cameras, but cops on the street. Nuke the cholos. Otherwise, let the free market reign. As I've said on the Weekly's blog, I personally think there are too many quinceañera shops on Fourth Street and would like cooler shops there--but I don't own the property, nor do I pay rent there. And I don't want capricious councilmembers who perpetually suffer from conflict-of-influenza to dictate development. One final point: that you don't want to walk a mile for a good restaurant either shows you're lazy or frightfully myopic. And, judging by the fact you were "unaware" about Libreria Martinez, I'd wager on the latter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-65639871836074236372008-01-16T21:46:00.000-08:002008-01-16T21:46:00.000-08:00Check out the proposed zoning for Wares properties...Check out the proposed zoning for Wares properties. She has the choice of Residential OR Industrial. And as the city planner said ,zoning variances will be granted!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-68029979307371222992008-01-16T17:56:00.000-08:002008-01-16T17:56:00.000-08:00Just let the RSP do its thing and Ware will get wa...Just let the RSP do its thing and Ware will get washed out in the process... Confront Ware directly and we'll spook the council and they wont do shit.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-54136088544424219442008-01-16T17:17:00.000-08:002008-01-16T17:17:00.000-08:00But I thought you guys were all lovey on Ms Martin...But I thought you guys were all lovey on Ms Martinez? Are you saying she let this happen? What does measure D have to do with what's already in hand? Sorry, man, but the buck can only get passed along so far. If that even remotely came close to happening anywhere else people would have sh@t and stopped it in it's tracks. Logan needs to fire up and take back their barrio because it looks to me like they got rolled over on this one. How about a protest, put some banners up on the corner of Civic and Santiago and stir it up? Go to the papers, the local news, the feds...I doubt Ms. Ware has the financial ability to affect anyone beyond this banana republic so I doubt this has gotten that far. Tell you what, I'm a the point that if I have to listen the bomb-like noise the trucks make I may start this thing and find out for you. In the meantime, let's get the kids stop tagging everywhere else and tag their trucks with "WARE destroyed my family's quality of life and it's nasty trucks are loud and dangerous and run stop signs with impunity so watch out?"Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14837695723854122573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5086863804484830254.post-68311455338945791962008-01-16T16:15:00.000-08:002008-01-16T16:15:00.000-08:00Companies like Ware Disposal have been allowed to ...<I>Companies like Ware Disposal have been allowed to run roughshod over this "historic" area.How did the hell did that happen? Who LET that happen?</I><BR/><BR/>Who let it happen?<BR/><BR/>Your elected City Council that takes $$$ from Judy Ware every election cycle and then turns a blind eye when she breaks local, state and federal laws on a daily basis.<BR/><BR/>Vote NO ON MEASURE DThomas Anthony Gordonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00826443459743798019noreply@blogger.com