Santa Ana Hotel

I have read recent articles mentioning a plan to rehabilitate the old Santa Ana Hotel for low-cost housing for senior citizens. I consider this plan an excellent way to preserve a part of Santa Ana history (as the hotel was built in 1921) and also fill a great need for housing for seniors and the less financially fortunate.

However, I find it disheartening to also read that First Presbyterian Church, adjacent to the property, is trying to block the development because they fear senior/low-cost housing will bring transient-type tenants. This may have happened in the past, but is not probable in this case, when properly managed. Look at the record of commitment of the Feedback Foundation. Their members are are a pillar of the community. I read what was said at the public hearing about an appropriate location. In other words: Put low-cost housing somewhere else, not next door to them. As an active Presbyterian Church member, I find this rather hypocritical.

The church wishes to obtain the property itself in hopes of demolishing the hotel and putting the property to its own use. If this should happen, the City of Santa Ana will once again allow another part of its historical past to be destroyed, to say nothing of losing greatly needed housing.

How can a single adjacent property owner be powerful enough to have the city staff deny a project of this worth a place on the agenda? I trust the final decision, by the City Council, will be to favor the needs of senior citizens and the less fortunate and restore the Santa Ana Hotel.

DOROTHY HOLDEN

Santa Ana