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O.C. fairgrounds deal loses key supporter
Assemblyman Jose Solorio on Tuesday said he plans to recommend dropping the sale.
By Kristen SchottPublished: September 08, 2010 10:35 AM
Assemblyman Jose Solorio no longer plans to support the city of Costa Mesa in its effort to purchase the O.C. fairgrounds and is recommending that the governor drop the sale completely.
Solorio, who has been a key player in the deal, said Tuesday that he had suggested a number of ideas to the city that would make the proposal more "acceptable," including a measure to protect employee jobs and removing a tax loophole that would take money from schools across the state so the property's manager could pay the city rent.
"The city has responded to these ideas, but as it stands now, there is still a gap in how far they will go and what I think would be minimum concessions to enable me and others to defend the proposal in the Legislature," he added.
Costa Mesa officials could not be reached for comment.
The city has been working with Facilities Management West to purchase the property, but the deal can't be finalized without Legislative approval.
"Since the Legislature is working on budget bills now, there is still time for Costa Mesa to pursue legislation to purchase the fairgrounds," said Solorio. "However, I can't defend their current proposal or justify why the state should allow them to make so much money from property that belongs to all Californians."
If the current deal passes in Legislature, the state would receive a total of $218 million for a 40-year period.
Facilities Management West would pay the city $235 million over 55 years.
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Solorio, who has been a key player in the deal, said Tuesday that he had suggested a number of ideas to the city that would make the proposal more "acceptable," including a measure to protect employee jobs and removing a tax loophole that would take money from schools across the state so the property's manager could pay the city rent. "The city has responded to these ideas, but as it stands now, there is still a gap in how far they will go and what I think would be minimum concessions to enable me and others to defend the proposal in the Legislature," he added. Costa Mesa officials could not be reached for comment. The city has been working with Facilities Management West to purchase the property, but the deal can't be finalized without Legislative approval. "Since the Legislature is working on budget bills now, there is still time for Costa Mesa to pursue legislation to purchase the fairgrounds," said Solorio. "However, I can't defend their current proposal or justify why the state should allow them to make so much money from property that belongs to all Californians." If the current deal passes in Legislature, the state would receive a total of $218 million for a 40-year period. Facilities Management West would pay the city $235 million over 55 years. Related headlines Pacific Amphitheatre earns top ranking Western Digital relocates headquarters to Irvine H.B. merchants are ‘Openly’ happy |
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