Fullerton : Museum May Be Closed After Denial of Funding

The City Council’s decision not to allocate $900,000 for improvements could force the Museum of North Orange County to close in June.

In a 3-2 decision, the council Tuesday decided not to allocate money to repair the museum’s substandard electrical wiring, plumbing and climate control system.

The museum, which is housed in the old main library, does not have the funds to make repairs to meet fire and safety codes.

“I don’t think the City Council realized when it decided not to allocate the money that it (that action) would close the museum down,” said Ronald Hagan, director of community services. “We need to sit down now and sort through the alternatives.”

According to Hagan, several alternatives are still being examined, including building a new facility on either public or private property, new lease agreements or partial rehabilitation of existing facilities.

“We are hoping to define some alternative proposals to keep the museum open,” said museum director Michael Mudd. “Without the major improvements outlined, the facility does not meet fire and safety codes and will have to be closed. The current lease runs out July 1.” The city leases the building at Pomona and Wilshire avenues from the Community College District of North Orange County for $1 a year.