Coffe De-rail

Many of us in the community have been anxiously anticipating the opening of the Coffee Rail. It will serve increase the marketability of our community, hopefully act as a catalyst to the neighboring businesses, and allow us residents quick access to gourmet cup of joe.

But alas, there have been complications with the Olsen Company and SCE, and it now seems the shop may never open. Recently, a long Update Letter was posted on their front windows. It is very inconvenient to read such a long post while standing uncomfortably outside, so here it is now, for you to read online. It reads:

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Update to our “DeRailment” READ! READ! READ!

This is Olson’s response regarding the unit’s Electrical deficiencies.

(Coffee Rail) – I wanted to recap our conversation from yesterday to make sure that I understood your position.

(Coffee Rail) – Olson is continuing on pursuing our electrical issue with SCE. Problem on hand is with regards to some red-tape. Can you further clarify as to what this is exactly?

(Olson’s VP of Customer Service) – We are moving forward with efforts to have a meeting with SCE regarding construction issues with the Project.

(Coffee Rail) – You have investigated on possibly making the current 100A to support both our workplace and living space. Shouldn’t you guys have done this from the early stages of design/planning? According to your own load calculations, we are already 70% capacity for the living space. Which means that we are only looking at allocating 30A to the workplace? I don’t see how this could work even if I remove some of my equipments.

(Olson’s VP of Customer Service) – Your unit and building appear to be according to the approved plans.

(Coffee Rail) – Your statement was that you feel that Olson didn’t misrepresent the space during the Sales process and therefore is not liable for our losses. I don’t know what your definition of a “Coffee House” is but, every “Coffee House” that I have been into along with our previous business we use to own. All the equipments that I have are at its minimum requirement. And according to Olson’s and the City’s approved list of businesses “Coffee House” is part of that list. From day one of our interest to purchase, we even spoke with the City of Fullerton’s Planning Department to confirm and make sure that our intent was going to be approved. Not to mention all of you sales people (names were removed) that we had dealt with from day one of the sales process knows exactly what our intent was for the space. So who is liable, the consumer?? We did our due diligence and clearly we bought product that was misrepresented. Also, if you recall, you as part of the HOA board approved our Business Plan.

(Olson’s VP of Customer Service) – While we appreciate you comments, we have a different opinion. The CC&Rs provide nothing other than the allowable uses for the Units, without representations regarding improvements to the Unit which may be necessary to accommodate a particular use. The CC&Rs are, our opinion, very clear that (i) only the “uses” are auhorized and (ii) compliance with all applicable codes, regulations, permit obligations, improvements to the Unit, etc. are the sole responsibility of the Owner. The CC&Rs also put the onerours on the Owner to obtain and comply with all building coes and regulations and specifically state that approval under the CC&Rs is not an approval of the design or plans from the standpoint of structural safety or compliance with building or other codes. It is incumbent on each Owner to confirm what items may be necessary to conform his or her Unit to accommodate the intended use, which would include electrical capabilities of the Unit, as well as special constraints, structural, etc.

(Coffe Rail) – I would not be in this predicament if you guys have done you homework and properly have designed the space. I have been very patient all this time and have run out. If this is your position and I understood everything that you have told me as accurately represented above, please confirm and so we can make a decision on what we need to do. I need an official statement from the Olson by the EOB on Friday.

(Olson’s VP of Customer Service) – It seems evident to us that during your due diligence process in evaluating the space to accommodate you business planes, you would have examined all aspects including the ability to fit you equipment, locations of counters, outlets, lighting, power needs, plumbing needs, access, etc. – had you completed those tasks, you would have identified the additional work necessary to enable your business to obtain the proper permits. Based on our research today with staff and the documents which you have received, we still do not see where there was any misrepresentation.

I will be more than happy to meet with you to discuss any of these concerns further.

************Questions and comments…please e-mail: coffeerail@gmail.com

When buying a property, is it the buyer’s responsibility to be looking into all the building aspects (i.e. structural support, walls) the prospective building? Should you be checking with SCE if the project is zoned properly? From a design point of view, should a designer be considering for minimum or maximum prospective use of the space? YOU DECIDE! In our case, it was overlooked. This posting is to update our potential customers to why Cofee Rail is derailed.

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Phew! that was a lot. So my question is, are you still going to open or what? Anyways, floor is open for comments…

Pile of Clothes by Electrical Closets, Possible Encampment

A pile of dirty clothes was found outside the electrical closets outside 369 Town Ct.  Previously, there have been other trash articles found outside that closet, including empty beer cans, empty fast food containers, and even used feminine products (gross!).

There may possibly be another homeless encampment in those closets as well, though that has not been confirmed.  The HOA should be notified and asked to conduct a sweep of all the closets.

Many people walk in that area, especially with their pets.  Please use caution, especially at night.

Final Loft Building Going Vertical

Looks like the preliminary stage of framing are occurring at the last construction site on Broadway.  The garage beams are being installed.

New Tag Clean-up

Looks like the new FTT tag is being cleaned up this morning. Great to see!

BTW, the Soco Walk graffiti-free day count is still going!

New FTT Tag

There is a huge FTT tag on the side wall of the Maverick Theater that faces the Soco Walk and leads up to the bridge.

If someone has the number to the Maverick, could you inform them or post the number I can do it.

I suspect this is related to the recent rise in frequency of gangster presence.  With summer about to begin you can expect more of this kind of crap from them.  Just remember, the police are here to help.  Their number is 714-738-6700.

Very Dark Walkways, Gangs sighted

The pedestrian walkways in front of the 111-131 Soco Drive loft building (between building and church) is extremely dark.  None of the porch lights or walkway lamps are on.

A group of about 10 gangsters were seen walking in the area.  They did not stop and loiter, but they repeatedly we walking around.

There also seemed to be persons sitting at the bridge.

In short, be careful in that area.  I’m not sure if the problem has been reported to the HOA, but residents of that building should say something.

Power is Back up!

Sorry Everyone,

I dropped the ball on this one.  I should have put a reminder post last night.

Best Regards,

SocoWatch

Domestic Disturbance?

A residents sends:

“At around 12:30 am last night there was some fierce arguing going on in the streets on the loft side.  A man kept yelling “I kill people” or something along those lines.  A female was heard crying as well.  The police were notified.”

A Note to Potential Buyers

I’d like to take this moment to reach out to potential buyers who happen upon this site.  First and foremost, I am in no way, shape, or form associated with The Olsen Company.  Contributions to this blog come from whom I assume to be residents or neighbors of the community.  Now, on to the community…

Soco Walk, for all its flaws and hang-ups, is for the most part a great place to live.  This blog may give a sense of caution to the area, but what is reported here really isn’t far beyond what you would encounter in other neighborhoods.  If anything, the fact this forum exists should be indicative of the type of community we have – one that is proactive and caring about the safety and well being of this area.  I for one am very proud to be a member of this community.

As it has been said, this Soco Walk community is serving as the “test” community for this type of mixed-use complex.  Many people have their doubts about these types of communities, especially coming from a traditionally “suburban” perspective.  But the reality is that many people are finding this type of living very attractive, very metropolitan, very contemporary.  Fullerton, as one, if not THE, central transportation hub of Orange County, it makes sense that communities like this take root in the area; historically, it has been major transportation hub cities that eventually evolve into metropolitan centers.

If you are interested in our community, enough to the point of reading this, I encourage to come down and see it for yourself.

If you are a current resident of the Soco Walk community, I invite you now also to add a few words about your thoughts, good or bad, about the Soco Walk.

Homeless Encampment!!!

A Resident sends:

“I found a homeless person has made a home in our utility cabinet. This is located between the two loft buildings closest to the new construction by the planter box.
Notice the toilet paper rolls? I don’t even want to imagine where he is going to the bathroom around here.”

Thank you. This is a great and I’m sure we all very much appreciate this.

So the question now looms, who do we notify when something like this is found? There is no person to call the police on. Is this something we call the FPD about? Should the community’s Olsen Rep be notified? The HOA?

I welcome your thoughts.

Police Activity

At approximately 4:45 pm today, police squad cars were seen blocking off the Pomona/Truslow intersection.  Apparently they were responding to a complaint in the area.

Saftey Question

A resident asked:

“I just moved in on the first and I have been walking to the other side of the train station almost every night. Seems based on your blog, this isn’t a good idea. Has there been much crime here or is it just a bunch of suspicious looking people? Thanks for your help.”

For the most part, the area is relatively safe.  Just like any other city, it has its moments, which really can be of no bother if you keep caution of your surroundings.  If you walk at night, just be careful, but by all means enjoy.  It is your neighborhood, you pay taxes, use it.

This blog just helps to provide insight into areas where your guard should be more sensitive, but overall, your neighbors are doing an excellent job of doing their part in keeping all of us safe.

Drunken Brawl

A resident sends:

I was awoken last night to the sounds of a drunken woman and some men screaming obscenities. Around 2:20 Friday night a bunch of partygoers from downtown Fullerton got in some sort a altercation. There was a lot of cursing and screaming going on as well as people running around. It happened at the end of Soco Dr. next to the new construction. I noticed several other neighbors out on the balconies watching the mayhem. The Police showed up around 2:30. The whole mess was sorted out by 3:30 a.m.

Thanks.  Sorry I didn’t get this up sooner.

For Rent Sign Sprouts in Planter

Looks like those wishing to find renters for their homes have jump into the act of erecting signs in their front planters as well.  Big red “For Rent” sign is up in front of 226 Soco Dr.

Parking Warning: Plastering to Begin

For those of you who park inside the complex near the Loft construction site, please be aware that the plastering of the exterior is slated to begin.  Warning signs are also posted around the site.

If you would like to keep splatter and debris off your car, don’t park in those stalls during this period of construction.

Another For Sale Sign

Another For Sale sign has sprung up in someone’s planter, probably following suit from their neighbor’s. That’s right, this sign is in the planter just a view doors down, at 166 Soco Dr.

Are these sign post in the planters a growing trend?

Hot Monday

It’s a scorcher out there.  Everything seems of the norm.  Construction continues, parking lots are full, and same crowd at the stores.

Stay hydrated and have a Happy Monday!

Regulation of For Sale signs

There is a “For Sale” sign stuck in the planter at 176 Soco Dr. What are the regulations for such signs? I have seen other “for sale” and for “lease signs” posted, but not as visible as this one. I would imagine that the Olson Co. looks down on this due to it potential impact to sales.

How do you residents feel, and if you know, what is and isn’t allowed when it comes to these signs?

Bridge Tag

The two brown pylons and the surrounding pavement at the entry way to the bridge on the Soco Walk side has been tagged AGAIN!  Damn you FTT trolls!

At least it isn’t Soco Walk property (right?), so the graffiti-free streak continues!

BTW, someone should report the tag to get it cleaned up.  Thanks residents for your continued participation.  I have been out of the area as of late, so having your contributions helps to keep everyone updated.

Don’t hesitate to email issues you want to anonymously post here to socowatch@gmail.com

Graffiti-free Days: 22

Nice.