PLACENTIA : Three Are Honored for Redevelopment

Three residents were honored last week by Placentia’s Redevelopment Agency for their efforts in restoring historic structures in the city’s old downtown area.

The Golden Achievement Awards, given annually to residents or business owners who helped the redevelopment agency achieve its goals, recognized the three recipients for contributing to the redevelopment of Placita Santa Fe, an historic area of residential units, restaurants and retail stores.

Those honored at a City Council meeting Tuesday included Joaquin Castro, who restored a two-story, 1,400-square-foot masonry building on Santa Fe Avenue and converted it into two apartment units and a Mexican restaurant. The building required extensive work to bring it into compliance with the city’s seismic and building codes, city officials said.

Also honored was Michael Maurer, who constructed a two-story building on a vacant lot on South Bradford Avenue. The structure includes an auto parts store and an office and residential unit.

Jose Zepeda was also recognized for restoring the blighted Kraemer Building, bringing it to code and creating eight apartment units. He also refinished the exterior and built a new parking lot.