A Land Swap? Nobody's Talking...
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE
I mentioned in my preview post about the Costa Mesa City Council meeting Tuesday, April 19th, that there was an interesting item on the Closed Session agenda, and that I'd try to get more information.
WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?
Well, nobody's talking about Item #3, which reads:
STONEWALLED
I tried to get a comment from the CEO's office several times since Tom Hatch is the negotiator. I was told I'd get a call back - that didn't happen. I tried Tony Dodero, the Public Information Officer, since this is public information. No luck. I tried the CEO's Office again this afternoon and was told, "That's all we've got." That seems like a curious response, so I tried Vanguard University, but got no response.
IF YOU WANT TO ASK, BE THERE BY 5:00
So, how is one expected to inquire about this issue during the Public Comments segment that's available at the beginning of the Closed Session - at 5:00 p.m., before they adjourn to the 5th Floor Conference room?
WHAT'S THE STORY?
Without more information it looks like some kind of land swap is in the works. Two of the properties are located on Newport Boulevard and Santa Isabel Street. They share a common property line and appear in this Google Earth image to be commercial buildings. This apparently does NOT involve the corner lot.
IS THIS A LAND SWAP? IF SO, WHY?
So, is the City negotiating with Vanguard for some kind of a land swap involving our Civic Center Park, located on Fair Drive between the Police Headquarters and Fairview? If so, what the heck is going on? Why are they considering giving up that open space that so many of the nearby neighbors complained about losing when it was considered as a possible site for a library/community center or affordable housing?
SO MUCH FOR TRANSPARENCY
It appears the only way the taxpayers of this community will learn about this deal is when it's done. In the meantime we can only speculate about this transaction. That seems very wrong.
I mentioned in my preview post about the Costa Mesa City Council meeting Tuesday, April 19th, that there was an interesting item on the Closed Session agenda, and that I'd try to get more information.
WHAT'S THIS ALL ABOUT?
Well, nobody's talking about Item #3, which reads:
I tried to get a comment from the CEO's office several times since Tom Hatch is the negotiator. I was told I'd get a call back - that didn't happen. I tried Tony Dodero, the Public Information Officer, since this is public information. No luck. I tried the CEO's Office again this afternoon and was told, "That's all we've got." That seems like a curious response, so I tried Vanguard University, but got no response.
IF YOU WANT TO ASK, BE THERE BY 5:00
So, how is one expected to inquire about this issue during the Public Comments segment that's available at the beginning of the Closed Session - at 5:00 p.m., before they adjourn to the 5th Floor Conference room?
WHAT'S THE STORY?
Without more information it looks like some kind of land swap is in the works. Two of the properties are located on Newport Boulevard and Santa Isabel Street. They share a common property line and appear in this Google Earth image to be commercial buildings. This apparently does NOT involve the corner lot.
So, is the City negotiating with Vanguard for some kind of a land swap involving our Civic Center Park, located on Fair Drive between the Police Headquarters and Fairview? If so, what the heck is going on? Why are they considering giving up that open space that so many of the nearby neighbors complained about losing when it was considered as a possible site for a library/community center or affordable housing?
It appears the only way the taxpayers of this community will learn about this deal is when it's done. In the meantime we can only speculate about this transaction. That seems very wrong.
Labels: Civic Center Park, Tom Hatch, Tony Dodero, Vanguard University
posted by The Pot Stirrer at 4/18/2016 11:21:00 PM
4 comments
