Full Notification

New Residential Community Offers 114 New Affordable Homes in Santa Ana Station District

SANTA ANA, CA (June 3, 2013) - Related California, the City of Santa Ana and community members today celebrate the grand opening of Triada Court, Triada Gardens and Triada Village, which together form a new community of affordable apartment homes in the Lacy Neighborhood of the Santa Ana Station District.

The new apartment community includes 114 new apartment homes on scattered sites in a combination of new construction and preservation/ rehabilitation. Together they make up the first major development to complete construction under the City’s new Transit Zoning Code which promotes transit-oriented development in the area surrounding the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center (SARTC). The final phase of the Station District affordable housing project which will include approximately 24 for-sale homes (developed by City Ventures) is anticipated to be under construction later this year.

Mayor Miguel Pulido commented, “The Triada is an excellent example of the City’s efforts to match beautiful housing options for our residents at an affordable price, which promotes our community’s vision and revitalizes the neighborhood. The inclusion of neighborhood retail, child care and public art features as part of the project also reflect the needs and desires of the community”

The City of Santa Ana’s former Redevelopment Agency selected Related California, along with joint venture partner Griffin Realty Corporation in 2009 through a competitive Request for Qualifications Process as Master Developer for the Station District. The Station District, which encompasses 94 acres of land to the west of the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center and is generally situated within in the Lacy neighborhood, has been a focal point of local and regional transit, infrastructure and transit-oriented development planning.

“Related is very proud of this development, which is our first partnership with the City of Santa Ana,” said Bill Witte, Related California’s president and CEO. “As a company committed to building the highest quality affordable housing, sustainable infill development, and revitalizing communities, we are excited about this project and the larger vision it begins to implement in the Station District.”

Related also announced a gift to the community of $10,000 for purchase of computers for the Joint Use Community Center at Garfield Elementary.

“As the economy continues to improve, the need for quality work force housing continues to increase,” stated Councilwoman Michele Martinez. “Triada helps meet those needs and demonstrates the Council’s commitment to ensure quality projects are promoted to better our community. The for-sale homes which are part of the final phase of this project will provide another quality housing opportunity for our residents.”

According to Witte, one of the most outstanding aspects and unique challenges of project design was planning a development on 10 city-owned sites scattered throughout the existing Lacy neighborhood with a blend of rental and for-sale housing. The project’s design was driven both by respect for the existing neighborhood context and promoting transit/pedestrian oriented urban building forms. It also included a preservation/ rehabilitation component. “This is a unique neighborhood which necessitated a unique development solution,” said Witte, “We are pleased to have had such a successful collaboration with the City and the community to make the vision a reality.”

“Triada is great example of a successful private and public redevelopment partnership that enhances the quality of life for lower income families and improves neighborhoods in the City of Santa Ana,” added Cesar Covarrubias, Executive Director of the Kennedy Commission. “Having addressed the community's priorities through a collaborative planning process, this development process has created a cohesive community by providing important neighborhood amenities to residents, such as an on-site child care center and a community center at neighboring Garfield Elementary School.”

A public art effort was also undertaken as an outgrowth of the community outreach conducted for the Station District housing project. This effort involved the City, community and Garfield Elementary in participation with the developer, Related/Griffin. A unique public sculpture was recently created and installed by artist Jules Rochielle at the Triada Court site. As part of the project, Ms Rochielle also conducted an art workshop series at Garfield Elementary with all 700 youth reached in all grades.

Collaboration with the community as part of this effort has also resulted in additional Station District improvement projects that the City has recently completed or initiated. These include the Lacy neighborhood Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) - funded sewer and water improvements as well as the upgrading of street lighting fixtures in conjunction with Southern California Edison to help improve nighttime safety conditions. A 10,000 square foot Community Center is also being developed in partnership with the Santa Ana Unified School District at Garfield Elementary School. The community center is expected to open in by the end of 2013.

The apartment community’s three components include:
• Triada Court at The Station District: 74 units new construction affordable family housing on a single site
• Triada Gardens at the Station District: 25 units new construction affordable housing on scattered sites
• Triada Village at The Station District: 15 units preservation/ rehabilitation affordable family housing on scattered sites

The project was developed in two phases with two allocations of 9% low income housing tax credits in accordance with a master plan developed by Related in partnership with the City of Santa Ana on a collection of vacant City owned scattered sites. The development targets large families earning 30%-50% of the Area Median Income and was financed with tax credit equity and conventional debt provided by Wells Fargo. In addition to traditional design and engineering standards, they are designed and constructed to “Build It Green” standards. 450 construction jobs were created or generated from this development.

About Triada
Triada Court includes 74 large family apartment units comprised of 51 two-bedroom units and 23 three-bedroom units. The residential units are designed as two story townhomes constructed as Type V wood structure, some of which will wrap around a Type I (concrete) at grade garage at street level with street facing stoops, and some of which are be constructed atop the at grade garage and be oriented around podium level courtyards. The developer and City collaborated with the County’s Child Care Program Coordinator to facilitate development of the center. A 1,500 square foot retail space will accommodate a neighborhood amenity such as a café or coffee shop to serve as a community gathering space strategically located across from Garfield Elementary, the natural center of the neighborhood. Public art is incorporated in the same location further anchoring the center of community and was developed by local artist Jules Rochelle who engaged with the Garfield Elementary School students in the artwork so as to promote integration of the new development with the existing neighborhood and foster a sense of community ownership. The City is also planning a neighborhood-oriented exercise park for a small lot across the street from the school to the east.

Resident parking spaces is covered and secured within the interior garage. Guest parking and retail parking is available in at-grade open parking accessible from 6th street. Other onsite amenities include podium level common courtyard/open spaces, tot lot, BBQ areas, common laundry room (in addition to washer/dryer hookups in the three-bedroom units), on site property management offices, conference room, and social service spaces including multipurpose room, offices, and computer lab.

Triada Gardens is comprised of 25 new construction units including 15 two-bedroom units and 10 three-bedroom units constructed as two-story town homes and second story carriage units with a combination of tuck under and standalone garage parking at grade.

Triada Village is comprised of 15 rehab units including five one-bedroom units, 7 two-bedroom units and 3 three-bedroom units. These units are located in 10 buildings including 7 single family homes, two duplexes and one fourplex. Surface parking for the rehab units is provided on site with carports.

Triada Village and Triada Gardens were financed as a scattered sites affordable housing development utilizing one allocation of 9% tax credits. Project amenities include common courtyard spaces, common laundry facilities (in addition to washer/dryer hookups in the three-bedroom units). Project residents also have access to common area facilities in Triada Court which is located either across the street or one block away from each of the six scattered sites in this phase.

About Related California
Related California is a fully integrated real estate firm that develops affordable and market rate multifamily and mixed-use residential properties in California. Since opening the west coast headquarters in 1989, the company has completed more than 9,200 residential homes throughout California. Related has partnered with over 20 municipalities in Northern California (San Francisco, Oakland, Richmond, San Jose) and Southern California (Los Angeles City, Los Angeles County, Orange County, San Bernardino County, San Diego and San Diego County).

The Related California portfolio includes more than $2.5 billion worth of developments. This level of activity sets the company apart from most in the industry and creates substantial purchasing and negotiating leverage, allowing Related to develop and operate assets efficiently while maintaining its standards of high quality and service. For more information about Related California, visit www.relatedcalifornia.com

About Related Companies
Related Companies is the most prominent privately owned real estate firm in the United States. Formed over 39 years ago, Related is a fully integrated, highly diversified industry leader with experience in virtually every aspect of development, acquisitions, management, finance, marketing and sales. Related has offices and major developments in New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Francisco and South Florida and boasts a team of more than 2,000 professionals. The Company’s existing portfolio of real estate assets, valued at over $15 billion, is made up of best-in-class mixed-use, residential, retail, office, trade show and affordable properties in premier high-barrier-to-entry markets. For more information, visit www.related.com


About the City of Santa Ana
The City of Santa Ana is home to more than 350,000 residents and was recently named the 4th Safest City in the Unites States by Forbes Magazine. Santa Ana has been actively involved in the development of affordable housing for its community for many years. The Agency’s/City’s multi-faceted approach includes new construction as well as acquisition-rehabilitation, rehabilitation, first-time homebuyer programs, and rental subsidies; all designed to provide a range of quality affordable housing opportunities.

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