There has been a lot of dissent in the Santa Ana Artists Village of late, which has been fanned by the local media. The good news is that the folks who run Downtown, Inc., the non-profit that operates the Santa Ana PBID are holding a town hall meeting this week, on January 6, at 6:30 pm, at the CSUF Grand Central Art Center, which is located at 125 Broadway, in Downtown Santa Ana.
According to Vicky Baxter, the Executive Director, in an email sent today, the meeting is a follow-up to the previous meeting on Oct. 12, which focused on safety and security in the downtown area.
Amongst the issues that I am sure will be discussed are:
- The now defunct trial valet parking program at the Santora that angered the artists
- The formation of the Artists Village Alliance of Santa Ana (A.V.A.S.A.). This group has formed out of their mutual concern for the future of the Artist Village
- The PBID, an annual assessment paid by downtown area businesses. Thirty five of these businesses recently signed a petition to dump the PBID
- The maintenance of the historic structures in the Artists Village – specifically the Santora Building
- The use of signs, primarily the sign touting the Original Mike’s restaurant, that Mike Harrah, the owner of that restaurant and the Santora, placed on the Santora
- Public safety
And I am sure many other issues will come up as well.
Kudos to Baxter, at Downtown, Inc., for taking the initiative to launch this meeting. At this point, all of the stakeholders in the Artists Village will be better served by meeting and airing their views than by launching more pointless attacks in the local press.
so Art please clarify there are two meetings now? One of the 12th done by the city and one on the 6th by downtown inc? and how is Downtown inc sending the word out to all artist? are they doing fliers? and only using your PR agency to get the word out?
again lack of communication, clarity and certainly bad planning. A meeting like this should be announced via posted fliers, it should give artist time to get the word out and an agenda should be disclosed publicly…is downtown inc reaching out to the OCWEEKLY, or The Voice of OC or again just the PR agency for Santa Ana?
How do you expect for this to change if the same tactics are being followed?
artist,
The one on the 12th is a forum for arts organizations so that they can better network and work together. That meeting is being coordinated by the City. The meeting on the 6th is being coordinated by Downtown, Inc. and its purpose is to provide a forum for folks to air out their issues and find ways to resolve these problems, as I understand it.
I scooped everyone in getting the word out. I am sure that Downtown, Inc. will have an official release soon.
I am not the PR firm for the City of Santa Ana, but they could surely use one! I just worked hard to get this story. And I wanted to get it out so as to introduce something positive amidst all the negativity on other blogs and media in town.
This could be a good step. maybe. too soon to tell.
Definitely a positive step, but I’m curious…
Why would you characterize citizens bringing their concerns to the press as “pointless attacks”? You know as well as anyone else that bringing concerns to the light of day through the press is a legitimate way of seeking change. Not the only way, but definitely a legitimate strategy.
anon,
Just check out the OC Weekly. They posted an article about how the City of Santa Ana is refusing to answer questions about the now extinct trial valet parking program. The program has been canceled. Why beat a dead horse?
The artists were not at the table. They have now corrected that. This forum will now give them a chance to talk to the other stakeholders in downtown Santa Ana, in a public meeting.
It is time for diplomacy now, not endless attacks.
If the PDIB is changed or even dumped, does that mean the end to the street fairs and parades in Santa Ana?
The Black History parade is not being held for the third straight year cause the organizers do not have the 60 thousand dollars the city wants to supply security services.
cook,
I do not think so.
It is sad to see the Black History parade go by the wayside. That is a lot of money for a city that is broke to come up with…