Ace’s Foes Are Finally Muffled

It took strong public pressure, but the Santa Ana City Council, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency, finally came to its senses and decided not to force Miguel Armando Pulido to relocate his Ace Muffler shop from its 24-year location.

The council never should have threatened Pulido in the first place or made such a bad deal with Urbatec, the neophyte shopping center development firm from Santa Monica. Urbatec wanted the successful Ace Muffler moved off property that the city has earmarked as a redevelopment site for a neighborhood shopping center. The agreement lacked any sense of fairness or justice, as the city has finally realized.

The controversy that has raged for more than a year could have a happy ending all around if Urbatec, which is making its first run at creating a shopping center, shows the same sensitivity and common sense as the City Council and, instead of continuing to threaten legal action, works with the city and Ace Muffler to develop a successful neighborhood shopping center.

In the meantime, Pulido, an immigrant from Mexico, took on the system--and won. He is the latest example to others in pursuit of the American Dream that it can be achieved, and saved, no matter the odds, if you’re willing to work--and fight--for it.