Mid-City

Good Things Happening

Oct 20, 2000

Good Things Happening In Santa Ana
by Planning Commissioner Jose Solorio

When I look around our city, there are many things to be proud of. In the past few years, we have seen significant progress that has brought recognition to our city, revitalized our neighborhoods, and raised everyone's home value. As city, neighborhood and business leaders, we should all be proud of the role we played in making these positive changes occur.

With respect to recent activity, below are some key developments that have been completed:
?¨ Discovery Science Center
?¨ Riverglen luxury homes on North Bristol
?¨ New First American Title Co. headquarters
?¨ 100% Occupancy of the Santa Ana Auto Mall
?¨ Artist's Village projects including Cal State Fullerton Arts Center, Gypsy Den Cafe, Rite Aid, and Orange County Center for Contemporary Arts
?¨ Saint Joseph's Ballet Company Center.

These developments represent the willingness of everyone involved to put politics aside and attract quality projects that benefit Santa Ana. These projects have created new jobs, fostered new partnerships, and provided people from within and without our city the opportunity to rediscover Santa Ana.

With the continuing strength of the economy, we can expect other proposed developments to come to fruition over the next couple of years. Some of the projects now being constructed or considered are:
?¨ MainPlace - addition of J.C. Penney
?¨ NEXUS Twin Towers - two 9 story office buildings at MacArthur Place
?¨ The Pinnacle at MacArthur Place - 346 luxury residential townhomes and condominiums, with retail
?¨ One Broadway Plaza - a 37 story office tower at Tenth and Broadway
?¨ Home Depot - new store along Edinger Avenue, between Ritchey and Lyon Streets
?¨ Orange County High School of the Arts - "Fame" type charter school at Tenth and Main
?¨ Trader Joe's - moving in to the old Sizzler's site next to Target on South Bristol
?¨ Armstrong Ranch - upscale single-family development and Fundamental High School by Bear and MacArthur.

As developments are being considered, it is incumbent upon us as community leaders and residents to get involved in the planning process so that the final projects address our local concerns, needs and interests. The neighborhood associations and Comlink have served well in this regard. Let's continue the good work for our city!

Jose Solorio is a Santa Ana Planning Commissioner and member of the
Sandpointe Neighborhood Association. If you have any questions for him,
you can reach him at (714) 396-3444.