01 & 14 (189)Public Comment
From:
Nicki Wilmot <
Sent:
Monday, April 26, 2021 9:38 PM
To:
Jordan Brandman
Cc:
Public Comment
Subject:
Save the Cultural Arts Building!
Good Evening Council Member Brandman,
Thank you for taking the time to read this and for your attention to this matter. I'm sending this email to urge
you to support and approve Housing Authority Agenda Item 1 and City Council Agenda item 14 that will be
before you on Tuesday, April 27.
My family lives in the historic Anaheim Colony in a house built in 1927 that was rescued and moved when
other houses were demolished to make way for new housing projects. I am sure the citizens who saved the
house my family and many others in the community love had to be fought for and stood up for as I am doing
now for the Cultural Arts Building. My home is an asset to the city, it's history and beauty are an asset to the
city. Just as the historic Cultural Arts Building is an asset to this city. Too often we are tearing down historic
buildings that add value and beauty to Anaheim. Yes, affordable senior housing is necessary, but it would be a
great loss to our community should the Cultural Arts Building be torn down for it. Let's work together to find
another solution.
This past year has been difficult for everyone, especially Non -Profit Arts Organizations. We should not be
displacing a valuable organization that provides much needed education and entertainment to the community.
Let alone an organization that has proven strong and flexible during these restrictive times. Through necessary
mandates that prevented Anaheim Ballet from rehearsing indoors, they were able to find solutions and provide
artistic in person education for their stridents. This is not something that all ballet studios were able to do. I
commend them for their creativity and ability to provide in person classes throughout a pandemic. Some of my
favorite memories from this past year are watching the Anaheim Ballet practicing in their parking lot. We could
hear the piano from our living room and it brought much needed joy. What a wonderful silver lining Anaheim
Ballet was able to offer during this tough time we are in.
The arts are important, history is important and we should be working together to support them and lift them up,
not tear them down. Please support Housing Authority Agenda Item 1 and City Council Agenda Item 14 and
buy us the time to come up with a better solution allowing us to preserve the historic Cultural Arts Building,
support Anaheim Ballet and provide affordable senior housing in an alternate location.
Thank you again for taking the time to read this and for your attention to this concern.
Nicki Wilmot
Manager, Box Office
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www.SCETA.org
600 Town Center Drive
Costa Mesa, CA 92626