I studied journalism years ago, while attending Cal State University at Fullerton. Back then journalism students were told to question everything. When you read what passes for journalism over at the O.C. Register, you have to wonder if their reporters question anything anymore.
For example, take a look at their story in today’s paper about the City Place development in Santa Ana. At first glance it looks like a harmless little story about a bunch of new stores and live/work spaces across the street from the Mainplace Mall. But dig a bit deeper.
The writer, Doug Irving, writes about “a wave of mostly young and affluent professionals is moving into swank lofts.” But then he admits, a few paragraphs later, that the developer “estimated that he’s sold 70 of the development’s 185 homes.” By anyone’s math, that is less than 50%. Not good.
Apparently, the developer of City Place has a major mental malfunction, as Irving closes his article, which reads more like a press release, with, “He’s talking to the city about building a 31-story condo tower there on the site.” That’s right. The developer can’t sell the fancy housing units that are currently for sale, but he is already thinking of building another tower of expensive condos.
I have written about this previously. The Mayor of Santa Ana wants the developer to build that tower. He told him the city “needs it.” From where I am sitting, it doesn’t look like the city needed the homes at City Place, much less this ridiculous tower.
I feel bad for the businesses at City Place. They are paying top dollar. Most evenings they are empty. They banked on yuppie home owners that have not materialized. I have looked at the strange boutiques popping up in the work/live spaces. I am guessing most of them won’t be here a year or so down the road. But I wish them luck. They will need it. That and more puffy articles in the Register, which you can bet will keep coming.
Yeah, Art. What Santa Ana needs is more of is taco stands, bail bondsmen, gangs, vending trucks, shopping carts, and low income residents. That is the key to economic growth, crime reduction and improving Santa Ana. You better hope we get more young urban professionals to help build a REAL future for this city, or do you prefer living in Tijuana?
As a new resident of another infill project in Santa Ana, to me, City Place is an Irvine-like infection in the urban fabric of Santa Ana. Talk about alienating new development from the surrounding community. None of the locals will rub shoulders with those new residents at the restaurants in their front yard (well maybe the floral park ones.) Oh, and by the way, City Place hasn’t been priced market-appropriate since it’s inception. An Economics course on supply and demand would be beneficial for whomever is running the sales operation for that community. I’m going to walk down the street now and have coffee at Pop’s. 🙂
Poster 1,
Have I ever called for more of those things? I don’t think so. Honestly, I am a big fan of McCormick & Schmick’s – but the City Place would have been a great place for a Von’s supermarket with a deli.
Currently I have to drive up Main to Ralph’s, in Orange, or across town on 17th to Albertson’s, or to Stater Brothers on Tustin. There are no other supermarkets close by, with the exception of Food 4 Less on Grand, which does not have much in terms of selection.
Yes, City Place is going to eventually have some kind of high end market, I think it is a Mother’s Market. But that is not the sort of place you do your family grocery shopping.
So instead we get a bunch of homes no one in Santa Ana can afford, and weird boutiques that won’t be here long, for the most part. The restaurants will do OK, but right now they are hurting.
I do know that most residents in the area are opposed to Pulido’s tower idea. But what does he care? We certainly cannot complain to our Councilman, Carlos “Space Commander” Bustamante. He has already taken thousands of dollars from the City Place developer. He is bought and paid for.
The city need more housing.
It does not matter what the developer advertises or talks about what high end units they are building.
When the owners can’t sell these units to targeted market.
It will become the low income housing just like the 80’s condo’s and apt did.
It is about time that the people that do all the necessary work around here and in the surrounding cities get some decent housing.
The idea that low income people only deserve dedicated slums (aka low-income-housing) is crap.
If the mayor is such a good salesman to convince a bunch wealthy bankers and developers to built in Santa Ana, under the guise that they (bankers & developers) are going to screw the residents with high prices and profits. And they may not even break even on the deal, because they were tricked into building housing that only the low income will rent. Way to go mayor.
Has anyone been inside the Corner Bakery at City Place? The food is great, but what irks me is the Santa Ana-“inspired” wallpaper that shows a bunch of young, Abercrombie types strumming a guitar on a porch in French Park. Uh, sorry but I have yet to see that scene taking place in my neighborhood. I laughed so hard I almost choked on my panini.
I wonder if the eateries in the new faux-brick building behind Norm’s will sport similar propaganda on its walls?
Art,
As a young professional I want places like city place in Santa Ana. Young Professionals are interested in more places like this. Have you ever thought about keeping young professionals in the city and let them be the positive role models that this young kids need.
I would love to see more parks and libraries in this city, but do you honestly think anybody is going to go to them? For example I was really exited when they built the Delhi community center. Have you ever been inside? You would see for yourself that
Land Value 101 is an excellent place to bone up on what exactly is the best way to value property in the current market:
http://www.irvinehousingblog.com/2007/07/16/land-value-101/
The valuation of land used for residential housing is mysterious and often misunderstood. The purpose of this post is to explain how residential land is valued. Once the forces governing land value are understood, it becomes obvious why the Irvine Company is so protective of house prices in Irvine, and why the Irvine Company wants to maximize salable density on its land holdings.
The equations which govern the valuations of large parcels are very similar those which determine the value of an individual lot; therefore, to better understand the valuation of large parcels, one should fully understand how to evaluate an individual lot.
Does anyone know anything about Bustamonte going to the developer’s home with a Mr. Don Cribbs and entering his home from an open garage door and then driving around his expensive cars? I remember hearing something like this but now can’t remember where. Maybe some of your readers have a better memory than mine.
I work at McCormick & Schmick’s and our sales are way below projections. We do have most of the city council and staff eating and drinking in here and the management comps the tabs.
#9
Just an idea …perhaps your employer should invest in an advertising campaign geared to entice new patrons. Of course, your employer could operate on the premise, build it and they will come theory.
Art:
You are a typical NIMBY. Nothing being built in Santa Ana is to your liking. It’s a good thing Michele Martinez had the wisdom to not appoint you to the Planning Commission.
anon 6: your post had me spit out an imaginary panini, too! I’ve never seen any of the loft dwellers in Santiago or downtown give a rat’s A$$ about Santa Ana’s youth, nor the people in Silverlake or Echo Park as well. Yuppies only care for one people: yuppies.
anon.#9
So what you are saying is that there is a “free lunch.” Nice.
Does your priming the pump by reporting that Santa Ana elected officials and or staff eat and drink at your establishment pay any dividends? I hope your management eventually see’s a “return on investment” for that policy. Oh, and by the way, you mention their “drinking.” Is it soft drinks and coffee or something more powerful to help them through their afternoon in the office reading the Juice blog?
St. Chris said, “what irks me is the Santa Ana-“inspired” wallpaper that shows a bunch of young, Abercrombie types strumming a guitar on a porch in French Park. Uh, sorry but I have yet to see that scene taking place in my neighborhood. I laughed so hard I almost choked on my panini.”
Hey Chris,
I’ve witnessed scenes like that in French Park and the Artist village and many other locations in S.A. Many are young Latinos with dinero and “Abercrombie” clothing (and some are even white Latinos..God forbid!) S.A. is more than Norteno music and Cholos. You need to get out of YOUR barrio and see mi cuidad.
Can a young professional afford a $600,000-$700,000 condo? Are there really enough young professionals making over $150,000 gross a year that can sustain this housing market.
Affordable housing is not the four letter word it used to be. Reality is, that the price above is out of reach for most professionals and more so for those with children.
Many of my friends have children in their early and late 20’s that can’t afford to move out of their parents homes. They need “affordable housing”.
Affordable housing is not exclusively a low wage problem. It is now also a middle and upper income problem.
The market needs to understand the need of diverse price housing. Like it is done for cars, shoes, clothing, hotels, restaurants and such. It is an absolute requirement in order to maintain a local all inclusive labor force and so a healthy economy.
I do not see how any boutique business that is further behind McCormick & Schmicks will ever survive. You can’t even see those storefronts from Main Street now. That is why the stores closest to Main Street are the only ones that have opened so far. Within a year, even those will hopefully be smart and relocate to downtown, where there would be genuine foot and auto traffic.
Anon #14:
I wholeheartedly agree with you. Corner Bakery should also feature cholos and Norteno bands on their wall paper.
Of course theres more to S.A. than that, thats why I live here. I was just pointing out the spin involved. Go down and take a look at those walls, they are obviously painting a picture of “An All American City”, and not “Downtown Orangte County”. I find it funny.
#1
the city has been hanging its hat on young professionals for the past three decades! That’s how the city wound up with the current Willard neighborhood.
Ream continues to be shortsighted. Time for a new city manager.
#6
Did you grow up in Santa Ana?
Lomeli, you hit the nail on the head.
For all of you supporting this development, you need to pull your heads out of your bottoms. If you REALLY think that someone making $150,000/year will choose these for their home over a nice SFR in just about ANY surrounding city, you are high. Raise kids there? What upper middle class wife would choose these over Mission Viejo, Orange, Tustin, etc. with truly safe neighborhoods, parks and schools within walking distance?
And for those talking about all the imaginary “young professionals” out there maiking $150,000/yr. right of of college, and choosing downtown SanTana to live – you need professional help…
“Lomeli, you hit the nail on the head.”
Correction #20, it was Lomeli’s head!
The question for McCormicks is do they cut thier losses now?
They are a business, a publicly traded one (MSSR). The recent 10Q alludes to trouble in new location performance.
Without the free spending population of the late 1990’s this place is doomed.
A shame too, Jakes is one of my favorite eateries.