Santa Ana's Gentrification Wars Get Solid Write-Up in the New York Times

Santa Ana's Gentrification Wars Get Solid Write-Up in the New York Times

By Gustavo Arellano Mon., Oct. 31 2011 at 11:46 AM

What was...

We have trashed the New York Times' coverage of Orange County so many times that I can't even remember them--hell, you can start with this piece about OC's food scene, written by Southern California correspondent Jennifer Medina. But Medina is a dogged reporter, and in today's Times pens a solid piece about SanTana's gentrification wars.

Medina interviewed many, many people for the piece, but the people who got the most time were longtime anti-gentrification warriors Sam Romero and Carolina Sarmiento. And the opener, of course, was a quinceañera shop.

The only real criticisms I have of the piece are two. Medina didn't set SanTana in its proper place in the Orange County galaxy, which is to say code word for everything evil (i.e., Mexican) on Earth, and how that affects the grand delusions of the Brave New Urbanists in the area (check out the quote of SanTana councilmember Busty Bustamante, whining yet again that he can't buy a suit on Fourth Street. Oye, vendido: there are more than a few places, if only you'd get out of your brother's Bentley from time to time and actually walk around). She also didn't note how property owner Irv Chase tolerated lowered rents and wabs for decades, and how the only reason he's now found Brave New Urbanist religion is because of people whispering in the ears of him and his son.

And just a stylistic note: the recent rant of a restaurant owner against quinceañera shops should've been included, if only to show how clueless some of the Brave New Urbanists are. Regardless, it's a solid read that'll only bring more attention to everyone involved--win-win! Read it again here.

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Tim

Not sure about the reasons but I still prefer quinceañera shops.Tim from wrestling shoes

limerick

Just read it again, thanks for the link. Fred from Mansfield

Kenlaysnotdead

Nevermind, Carlos lives a half mile from Nordstroms, Macys and Men's warehouse. ALL in Santa Ana's main Place.

Plus, that Hermain Cain looking dude (John) selling suits at macy's is one cool fucker. Makes you feel like you should when you buyt a new suit. Even from Macy's!

mitch young

I don't think Bustamante means a charo suit.

mitch young

Oops -- guess that's charro.

Or maybe I did mean Charo.

20ftJesus

"“You have this area that was something public and you have an owner who can just take it away without any input from the community that really relies on it,” said Carolina Sarmiento"

O boohoo. Where to begin with this sentence? 1) It's not public; 2) As a landlord, I can rent to whomever I choose. Since when do I need to ask Carolina Sarmiento for permission? Who the fock is Carolina Sarmiento? This is straight up communist talk -- they want "the people" with their red star berets to control what private property owners and business people do with their assets. New flash: you want to manage downtown then buyout Chase and family and do what you will; otherwise, shut the hell up.

Dave Lieberman

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I agree with you. Yes, it was used as a public space, but it isn't public space; it's private property. That leapt out at me.

I don't love Santa Ana's gentrification. It's aimed at me, as is the "new blue-collar" downtown Anaheim developments by the Lab people, and it all just rings false.

I don't want to see DTSA become, you know... downtown Fullerton.

gustavoarellano

Private property in name only. Irv Chase bought the Yost at a severely city-discounted rate, and has made all the improvements with $750,000-plus in city grants. Wonder where SanTana gets all that money to give to people...

mitch young

"Wonder where SanTana gets all that money to give to people..."

You're allegedly a reporter, why don't you find out? How much of it comes from special taxes on the district, and how much from state 'community redevelopment' funds?

gustavoarellano

Stop your faux-libertarianism and learn the story, son!

20ftJesus

In all seriousness, I recoil at this kind of speech. My close Viet friends tell me the stories of how the communists would come to their homes and inspect their pantry simply because their children were too large and therefore well fed; thus, necessitating the redistribution of their rice.

However, my mind is open if someone can convince me that forcing landlords to lease only to low income lessees makes sense or to only those people approved by "The People" aka Carolina Sarmiento.

gustavoarellano

The Brave New Urbanists are the biggest communists in town, as they tax everyone in the district and then distribute to the cronies--you can look it up.