Lawyer to Help Market School Site
The Torrance Unified School District will draw up a contract with lawyer Richard Godino of Bergman & Wedner Inc. to help market and develop the former Columbia School site in northwest Torrance.
The school board on Monday voted 5 to 0 to approve hiring Godino, and trustees said they are optimistic that a consultant’s assistance will produce a tenant for the site.
“If these guys can’t do it, I don’t know who can,” said trustee John Eubanks.
Godino has helped other school districts, including Redondo Beach, lease vacant sites. Torrance officials say they hope he will locate a developer willing to rent and develop the Columbia site on a long-term lease.
Godino’s fee will be a percentage of the first full year’s total rent, determined by a formula and paid over two years or less. The contract can be canceled on 30 days’ notice, and Godino then would be reimbursed at $125 an hour. But Board Vice President David Sargent said cancellation is unlikely.
The former Columbia School, on a 4.95-acre site at 4502 186th St., closed in the spring of 1988. District efforts to lease the site have been unsuccessful.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
