With repurposing, renovating, and reprograming efforts completed in 2021 by Community Development Partners, La Placita Cinco, or “the little square,” was one of the first new developments and significant investments into the City of Santa Anna in over 50 years.

The project came with many priorities and many challenges. With the Santa Anna rail car public transportation initiative, the city has been pushing to create transit-oriented housing solutions that are economically attainable for existing residents and provide a more walkable, exciting environment. Providing easy access through walkability meant retail was an important component in the new development–and given the fondness for existing retail tenants, maintaining them in a way that didn’t interrupt retail operations was critical.

Working closely with the city a finance package was developed that prioritized affordable housing and retail. With a flexible construction schedule, La Placita Cinco was successfully finished with an array of residential amenities, new communal activations, and the inclusion of the existing, diverse collection of retail tenants.