The Logan area of Santa Ana is home to a primarily Spanish-speaking community. Many residents have recently arrived as immigrants and still have a strong connection with their native Mexican culture. The history of the people in the Logan neighborhood goes back decades and generations, so long-time residents of the community share a feeling of common fate. However, newly arrived immigrants don’t share that perception, which seems to be something of a roadblock in uniting the community.
Renaissance redevelopment plan
One of the neighborhood’s biggest challenges right now is the need to advocate for affordable housing t
o be included in the Santa Ana’s Renaissance redevelopment plan. Few people in the neighborhood were aware of the plan, and none had attended the city’s meetings. One reason for this lack of attendance might be that the city’s meetings about the plan were being held during 
regular work hours, when many Logan residents could not attend. Another possibility could be that some of the meetings were held in a police station – an environment uncomfortable for many immigrants.Two
-way communicationOne of Logan’s most active – and tenacious – community leaders, Mr. Romano, is the owner of a small Catholic gift shop nearby. Our experience in meeting him was eye opening because of his rich knowledge of the community’s history – and his passion and commitment to ensuring that Logan residents are infor
med of government decisions that affect them, and that city officials incorporate the needs of Logan Barrio residents into their long-range redevelopment plans. He and other community activists are also working to preventing Ware Disposal, a disposal company located in the neighborhood, from dumping waste from other cities here.
