Freeway Takes Toll : Widening Causes Headaches for Apartment Complex Residents

Larry Grannis pointed to one of the several “no trespassing” signs posted outside the western portion of the Mauna Loa apartments, shook his head sadly and said: “That is tough to take.”

For Grannis and dozens of other longtime residents of this balmy, tree-filled complex, life is rapidly becoming a series of headaches caused by the imminent widening of the Santa Ana Freeway.

First, residents lost their favorite doughnut shop, which was within walking distance of the apartments at 1311 Washington Place, near Grand Avenue. Also gone are two nearby gas stations, a fast-food restaurant and a convenience store.

“When I needed gas, I’d just buzz across the street to the gas station then just hop on the I-5 Freeway all in one shot,” said Bob Geisler, the 80-unit complex’s maintenance supervisor. “I feel like we’re going to be boxed in here because our access will be so limited. It’s going to be a nightmare.”

Adding to their woes this week is the relocation of natural gas lines under the freeway on Grand Avenue, which restricts traffic to one lane in each direction. As a result, tenants are no longer able to enter the complex when traveling south on Grand Avenue.

“It feels like we’re landlocked,” complained resident Cathy Smith. “My hair is already turning gray just thinking about all of this.”

But residents of this single-story, close-knit apartment complex fear that the worst is yet to come, as Caltrans crews prepare to demolish 20 apartment units at the west end of the complex later this month.

The tenants who lived in the apartments slated for demolition have been relocated to other units within the complex or to other locations. It’s all part of the ongoing effort to widen the freeway to 12 lanes through the heart of Santa Ana.

“We know that it’s going to be an inconvenience living next to apartments that are going to basically be sawed off,” said Linda Wilford of Caltrans. “It’s going to take patience and cooperation from all of the public.”

These developments are a rude awakening for the residents, who had previously enjoyed a relatively tranquil environment at the complex, which sports spacious grounds, a swimming pool, putting green and dozens of palm, orange and olive trees.

Bright yellow lines have been painted along the ground where the work will take place, and a wire fence will soon be constructed to separate the work site from the apartments. Residents said they are trying to brace themselves for what could be three years of construction, noise and inconvenience.

“It’s going to be a lot of noise,” said Eddie Wilson, a three-year resident. “I’ll be glad when they get it over with. I don’t have any plans to move away from here because everybody really gets along. There are no fights, arguments or shootings. None of that stuff.”

Wilson, 24, said that if the construction gets to be too loud, “I’ll just turn my stereo way up and drown out the noise.”

But not all residents are so sure they will be able to withstand the disruptions.

Dave Vargas lives in an apartment next to a row of units due to be demolished, and all that will be separating his apartment from the construction is a chain-link fence. Vargas, 48, is disabled and home most of the day. His wife, Sylvia, works nights and sleeps during the day.

“We’re not too happy about the whole thing,” Vargas said. “We really like it here, the way things were. But I just don’t know how my wife is going to be able to sleep during all of the construction.”

Although major construction at the complex has yet to begin, some minor work done by Caltrans crews has at least one family asking to be relocated because of flying dust and dirt.

“My husband is asthmatic and my son is susceptible to lung problems, so this is very difficult for us,” said Melody Fulmer, 42, who has lived at the complex for seven years. “This has totally changed our lifestyle.”

Fulmer said she would like to move immediately but is holding out for relocation money from Caltrans, which so far has not been forthcoming.

Caltrans’ Wilford said that to qualify for relocation assistance, residents must live in one of the apartments scheduled to be demolished or in an apartment directly abutting the project.

Bob Geisler’s wife and the manager of the apartments, Lisa Geisler--who has lived in the complex for six years--is trying to prepare residents for the inevitable upheaval and is hopeful that most people will be willing to stay. A newsletter has been started and telephone hot lines established to update residents on the construction.

“My main concern is retaining my current residents and not losing any,” Lisa Geisler said. “Right now we have zero vacancies, but who knows what it will be like in three months. This is a very close-knit community that is going to be very disrupted by all of this. I have tenants who have lived here for more than 20 years and I want to keep them.”

Grannis and his wife Zaida, who are both in their 60s, said they hope to remain in the two-bedroom apartment they have called home since 1969.

“The freeway used to just be a distant hum to us before, but now it looks like the new off-ramp is going to land right in our patio,” Larry Grannis said. “We love it here and never want to leave but we wonder what our threshold of tolerance will be.”

But the couple plans to make the effort.

“It’s progress,” Grannis said. “You sure couldn’t keep the freeway the way that it was because Orange County would have choked. The people who live along the freeway are just going to have to grit their teeth or move to Pismo Beach.”