The California Strategic Growth Council has awarded $25.4 million for affordable housing development, public realm improvements, and transportation projects in Santa Ana.

Including in the grant is $15 million in funding for Legacy Square, a mixed-use affordable housing complex which National CORE is planning next to a future Orange County Streetcar stop at Santa Ana Boulevard and French Street.  Plans call for replacing two buildings owned by the Santa Ana United Methodist Church with a 93-unit apartment complex reserved for formerly homeless persons and low-income households earning between 30 and 60 percent of the area median income.  The new housing would be supplemented by 1,750 square feet of ground-floor flex space, 3,800-square-foot community room, and supportive services provided by Mercy House.

SVA Architects is designing Legacy Square, which would use contemporary and Mission Revival style buildings to complement surrounding architecture.  The buildings would be clad in smooth stucco, brick veneer, and metal, with publicly-accessible open spaces such as courtyard and a street-facing plaza.

The grant awarded by the Strategic Growth Council also includes $2 million for transportation and urban greening projects in the surrounding neighborhood, including new street trees and a pocket park at the intersection of Mortimer Street and Santa Ana Boulevard.

Other infrastructure projects slated for funding include new bike lanes along Santiago Street, sidewalk repair, the installation of high-visibility crosswalks, and a safe route to school for neighborhood families.

$8 million of grant money will go toward signal improvements to Metrolink's Orange County line, which serves the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center six blocks east.  The proposed upgrades are part of Metrolink's SCORE program, which is designed to allow for increased capacity and service across its more than 500-mile network.

National CORE, the developer behind Legacy Square, also announced its intent to work with several community-based organizations on the project, including The Bicycle Tree and Taller San Jose Hope Builders.

The housing complex is scheduled to break ground in December 2020 and open for move-ins in December 2023.