Parks Proposal Would Cost Irvine $300 Million, Opponents Say : Special election: A $57.5-million bond measure is called a ‘rip-off.’ But supporters challenge rival figures and say new facilities would answer community needs.

Opponents of a citywide $57.5-million parks bond proposition are claiming that the measure would actually cost the city $300 million over the next 20 years, a figure disputed by the proposition’s backers.

The measure’s opponents, who include two former members of the city’s Finance Commission and a former city councilwoman, are calling the proposition on the March 6 special election ballot a “taxpayer rip-off” and a “world-class tax increase.”

“I’m not against bond issues generally, but this particular one is so expensive it will put a financial burden on the city for the next 20 years,” said Michael Shea, a former vice chairman of the Finance Commission. “I would prefer to see a less aggressive bond for much less money. I’m for a more conservative approach.”

Shea, along with Hank Adler, former chairman of the Finance and Planning commissions, and former councilwoman Barbara Wiener, signed the ballot argument against the bond issue. The trio suggested that if the bond measure passes the parks would cost the city more than $100 million to build and finance and almost $200 million to maintain and operate. It should be called “Proposition Tax Increase” rather than its title, “Proposition Parks,” the opponents wrote.

But City Councilwoman Paula Werner, who along with the rest of the council and Mayor Larry Agran supports the bond package, questioned opponents’ cost totals.

“I have absolutely no idea how they come up with those figures,” said Werner, who added that she would ask city staff to check the numbers. City Manager Paul Brady Jr. also questioned the validity of opponents’ figures.

Shea said Adler, an accountant, came up with the numbers by “taking the year-by-year totals and just adding them up.” Adler was out of town and could not be reached for comment.

Shea, an unsuccessful City Council candidate in 1988 who said that he is not running in the June election, also objected to holding a special election for the bond vote, calling it a political ploy that in itself will cost the city $50,000.

“The council could have consolidated this vote with the school board vote in November or the City Council election in June,” Shea said. He claimed that the council called for a special election to increase the chances of the bond issue, suggesting that because fewer voters are likely to cast ballots, the measure is more likely to pass.

Assessments May Rise

A two-thirds majority is needed to pass the bond proposition, which would finance projects including the building of two new parks and a gymnasium, and the renovation of other facilities.

If the bond passes, assessments would be $120 a year for homeowners, 10.15 cents per square foot for commercial property owners, and $60 annually for the approximately 700 residents of Irvine’s two mobile home parks, beginning in the 1990-91 tax year.

Those figures are another reason to oppose the bond measure, Shea said.

“The council cut the assessment in half to help the senior citizens in the trailer parks, but not all of our senior citizens live in those parks. Those seniors who live in housing throughout the city will be paying twice as much,” Shea said. The assessment on commercial property probably will be passed on to tenants, putting an added burden on small business owners, Shea said.

But City Councilwoman Sally Anne Sheridan, one of the leading proponents of the measure, said the bond proposition responds to community needs.

“People don’t want substandard facilities in this city,” Sheridan said. “I think people in Irvine want to continue to invest in the equity of this community.”

The $57.5-million price tag reflects current costs, Sheridan said.

“Our park bond measure in 1974 was for $18 million, but that was when land in Irvine was going for $30,000 an acre,” Sheridan said. “Now, you can’t get a sprinkler system for $30,000. It costs the city $425,000 a year just to heat the Heritage Park pool.” Land in Irvine is estimated to be worth about $100,000 an acre today, Sheridan said.

Added Werner: “What we are saying we are going to provide, we will provide. There are no hidden costs. If we had not built in all the costs, we would have to come back and ask for a tax increase,” Werner said.

Among the park projects that could be funded by the bond measure are:

* A 52-acre community park next to the Civic Center in Westpark, at a cost of $14.1 million.

* A 32-acre community park for Woodbridge, at a cost of $11.5 million.

* A gymnasium to be shared by Irvine High School and Heritage Park, for $1.25 million.

* A $3.8-million expansion of Harvard Community Athletic Park.

* Redevelopment of a now-defunct 1.5-mile railroad path into bicycle and running trails, for $2.5 million.

* $1.25 million for additional funding for the city’s Irvine Theatre, now under construction at UC Irvine.

* Creation of 8.5 additional miles of bicycle trails in Northwood, at a cost of $1.8 million.

* A $1.5-million expansion of the Irvine Fine Arts Center.

Money from the bond issue would also be put aside to purchase land for a park of about 50 to 60 acres in the Northwood area. A senior citizens’ day-care facility and services, a child-care facility and funds for lighted playing fields also would be funded by the bond issue.