Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Santa Ana council approves sale of La Colmena site to community trust for $852,000
Loading...
Summary
After a public hearing with multiple community organizations and business operators, the council authorized sale of a 0.3‑acre site known as La Colmena to a community trust for $852,000 (subsidized by a state grant), with conditions to preserve microfarm/community use and a prohibition on arbitrary transfer.
The Santa Ana City Council authorized the purchase and sale agreement for 1901 Westmont — the community site known as La Colmena — at its Feb. 17 meeting, approving a below‑market purchase price tied to a state grant to preserve the site for community‑based agriculture, small businesses and cooperative enterprises.
Staff described the parcel as about 0.3 acres, formerly acquired by the city and now proposed for transfer to Thrive (the purchaser) to continue operation of a microfarm and community market. The appraisal was $1,030,000; the proposed acquisition price is $852,000 with a $170,000 subsidy tied to a state grant. Staff said the sale includes a condition that restricts sale or assignment of the property to preserve its community use and that proceeds would revert to the city if the site were sold within 30 years.
Multiple speakers from the community testified in favor. Ricardo Muñiz and operators associated with La Colmena described its value as an incubator for cooperatives, a market site and a cultural space; Laura Pantoja and other operators highlighted cooperative businesses and opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Community members asked that the council allow La Colmena to retain authority over selecting tenants for the site and to avoid language that would limit the cooperative’s operational flexibility.
Councilmembers asked staff to clarify contract language and confirmed the city would receive the $170,000 subsidy back if the property were sold within 30 years. Councilmember Hernández moved and Councilmember Vázquez seconded authorization of the sale. The motion passed with five votes in favor and one absence noted in the transcript.
The sale authorizes the purchase agreement and staff to finalize terms that preserve La Colmena as a community asset supported by the state grant; council direction emphasized retaining community control over operations while ensuring the city’s financial protections when selling below market value.
