01 & 14 (156)Public Comment
From: Brian DeMers <
Sent: Friday, April 23, 2021 10:50 PM
To: Harry Sidhu (Mayor); Jose Moreno; Stephen Faessel; Jordan Brandman; Jennifer Diaz;
Avelino Valencia; Trevor O'Neil; Public Comment
Subject: Anaheim Cultural Center/Anaheim Ballet April 27
Good evening,
I'd like to add my voice in support of approving Items #1 and #14 at the April 27th council meeting. Please follow the
staff's recommendation that the city enter into a 1 year agreement to explore opportunities to support the Anaheim
Ballet and preserve the Cultural Arts building.
We need senior housing, but we also need community assets and non-profit service providers who provide much
needed activities for kids in the area and throughout the city. Just a side note: Within a very small radius several senior
housing projects already exist. Right next door to the west of the Cultural Arts building is the Village Center Apts. which
is 100 subsidized senior apartments. Just to the south is the Anaheim Memorial Manner building which consists of 75
units. Just to the east (Lincoln and East) is the recently competed EI Verano project which consists of 54 units to name
just a few.
We can and should build housing for seniors, but we also must support existing non-profit organizations like the
Anaheim Ballet who provide much needed activities for kids and services for the community.
Why eliminate an existing asset like the Cultural Arts building (and we all know we have far too few of them as it is) and
remove an established, long time widely supported organization like the Anaheim Ballet to build something that could
be built any number of other places?
Over the next year, I'm confident the creative minds in our city will find a solution to preserve this historic building and
support Anaheim Ballet's important presence in Center City.
Thank you,
- Brian D.,