COMMUNITY NEWS
Untitled Page
Costa Mesa officials negotiate with state to buy fairgrounds
The city's goal is to keep the property under public ownership.
By Kristen SchottPublished: April 02, 2010 09:08 AM
Costa Mesa city officials are continuing their efforts to preserve the Orange County fairgrounds. The City Council is "exclusively negotiating" with the state for the purchase of the 150-acre venue, according to a statement released this week.
The discussions began after the state Department of General Services rejected all of the bids for the grounds, including the $56.5 million offer submitted by retail outlet developer Craig Realty Group.
The goal of the negotiation is to keep the property under public
ownership, as well as to support the ongoing business of the fair,
which is key to the local economy, drawing in visitors year-round and
boosting revenue for local companies and restaurants.
"(Costa Mesa officials) are very grateful to the governor's office for being willing to sit down at the table with the city in a method that will benefit the state and ... preserve and protect the operations of the fairgrounds," says Councilwoman Katrina Foley.
Through the deal, city officials will require the grounds to be financially self-supporting. There will be no impact on the general fund, according to Foley, and the city will not rely on local tax dollars for either the purchase or the operation of the venue.
Former O.C. Fair & Event Center CEO Becky Bailey-Findley will serve as project manager for the purchase of the grounds. From 1994 to 2008, Bailey-Findley's efforts helped the fair and its year-round programs to thrive, and she was instrumental in promoting community outreach and participation.
Moving forward, "her charge will be to create a plan that preserves the heritage and relationship of the fair with the community while bringing all elements of the fair business together to achieve the self-supporting goals of Costa Mesa," notes the statement.
Though much of the details are still under discussion, city officials expect a "smooth and orderly" transition from state to local ownership, if the matter is successful.
Foley also noted that Measure C – which would give voters the opportunity to lock in the general plan amendment language for the property – will remain on the June 8 ballot.
“We are extremely proud to have the Orange County Fair & Event Center in our community and believe that it provides both social and economic benefit to Costa Mesa and the larger population of Orange County,” says Mayor Alan Mansoor.
Looking ahead, Mansoor says officials will submit a comprehensive proposal to the governor that showcases the city's commitment to keeping the property a "community asset" for the Southern California region.
"We hope that the governor will agree that local control is the best for California."
Related headlines
San Juan Capistrano earns AA+ bond rating
John Wayne Airport's improvement program spurs economic growth
Local officials step up efforts to lure Comic-Con to Anaheim
Readers Feedback:
The annual Fair is a money maker for the state and if they are bent on selling for quick cash, it would boost the economy of Costa Mesa even further. Sounds like a win-win situation for both sides as long as the State doesn't get overly greedy. I am also wondering how the buildings that are designated as historical are going to remain protected if sold to private interests.
Comment at 4/2/2010
|
||||
|
The discussions began after the state Department of General Services rejected all of the bids for the grounds, including the $56.5 million offer submitted by retail outlet developer Craig Realty Group. The goal of the negotiation is to keep the property under public ownership, as well as to support the ongoing business of the fair, which is key to the local economy, drawing in visitors year-round and boosting revenue for local companies and restaurants. "(Costa Mesa officials) are very grateful to the governor's office for being willing to sit down at the table with the city in a method that will benefit the state and ... preserve and protect the operations of the fairgrounds," says Councilwoman Katrina Foley. Through the deal, city officials will require the grounds to be financially self-supporting. There will be no impact on the general fund, according to Foley, and the city will not rely on local tax dollars for either the purchase or the operation of the venue. Former O.C. Fair & Event Center CEO Becky Bailey-Findley will serve as project manager for the purchase of the grounds. From 1994 to 2008, Bailey-Findley's efforts helped the fair and its year-round programs to thrive, and she was instrumental in promoting community outreach and participation. Moving forward, "her charge will be to create a plan that preserves the heritage and relationship of the fair with the community while bringing all elements of the fair business together to achieve the self-supporting goals of Costa Mesa," notes the statement. Though much of the details are still under discussion, city officials expect a "smooth and orderly" transition from state to local ownership, if the matter is successful. Foley also noted that Measure C – which would give voters the opportunity to lock in the general plan amendment language for the property – will remain on the June 8 ballot. “We are extremely proud to have the Orange County Fair & Event Center in our community and believe that it provides both social and economic benefit to Costa Mesa and the larger population of Orange County,” says Mayor Alan Mansoor. Looking ahead, Mansoor says officials will submit a comprehensive proposal to the governor that showcases the city's commitment to keeping the property a "community asset" for the Southern California region. "We hope that the governor will agree that local control is the best for California." Related headlines San Juan Capistrano earns AA+ bond rating John Wayne Airport's improvement program spurs economic growth Local officials step up efforts to lure Comic-Con to Anaheim |
||||
Readers Feedback:
The annual Fair is a money maker for the state and if they are bent on selling for quick cash, it would boost the economy of Costa Mesa even further. Sounds like a win-win situation for both sides as long as the State doesn't get overly greedy. I am also wondering how the buildings that are designated as historical are going to remain protected if sold to private interests.
| Comment at 4/2/2010 |
