Council approves sale of 1901 West Walnut to Thrive Santa Ana for $852,000 to preserve La Colmena microfarm
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Summary
The council approved a purchase and sale agreement to transfer a 0.38‑acre city parcel to Thrive Santa Ana (La Colmena) for $852,000, a below‑appraisal grant‑supported sale that carries a 30‑year covenant and reversion clause to protect community use.
The Santa Ana City Council authorized the city manager to execute a purchase‑and‑sale agreement with Thrive Santa Ana Inc. to sell city‑owned property at 1901 West Walnut Street for $852,000.
Staff said the property was appraised at $1,030,000 and that a state grant conditioned the acquisition price at $852,000, leaving a $178,000 subsidy that is documented in the economic subsidy report being adopted. Planning staff confirmed the site is zoned for the proposed microfarm, community retail and café uses and that the Surplus Land Act compliance and mitigations (including prior soil remediation) had been completed.
Thrive representatives and many community speakers urged approval during the public hearing, describing La Colmena as a community land trust, a training and entrepreneurship incubator and a cultural gathering place. Ricardo Muniz, listed as Thrive’s community engagement advisor, described long‑term resident participation, cooperative governance, and small‑business opportunities created by La Colmena. Thrive requested the council consider removing a provision that would require city approval for assignment or transfer of new uses; staff and council explained the assignment clause is intended to protect the public subsidy when property is sold below market value.
The council moved and approved the sale (motion by Councilmember Hernandez, second by Councilmember Vasquez). The recorded vote was 5 ayes, no nays, with Councilmember Becerra and the mayor recorded as absent for the vote. The purchase and sale document includes a 30‑year covenant and a recapture provision that requires repayment of the $178,000 differential if the property is sold for market value within the covenant period.
What happens next: The city manager will execute the agreement, staff will post the economic subsidy report on the city website and the city will work with Thrive to finalize any needed operational details within the restrictions of the covenant.