ANAHEIM : City May Buy Parcel Next to Melodyland

In addition to a possible acquisition of prime Melodyland acreage, the city may buy an adjacent parcel that could aid in the city’s plans to expand its convention facilities or build an inner-city transportation complex.

City Manager James Ruth--after emerging Tuesday from a closed session with council members, where negotiations continued on details of the proposed Melodyland purchase--said the additional parcel is also under consideration.

Ruth said a decision on the 3.01 acres of ground, just east of Melodyland’s charismatic-worship building, and the additional four acres of adjacent property will not be made until after March 5.

Ruth and other city officials declined to disclose the appraisals for the properties, but the city manager estimated that both parcels would be worth about $1 million an acre.

The city’s growing interest in the properties came to light after it was disclosed that the Walt Disney Co. has been buying and negotiating for more property on perimeter of Disneyland. It was reported last week that Disneyland paid about $1.3 million an acre for a 23-acre former mobile home park in the 300 block of West Katella Avenue.

Melodyland is on about 12 1/2 acres, across Harbor Boulevard from Disneyland.

Ruth said the city originally considered the Melodyland property to provide 1,200 parking spaces so the fourth expansion of Anaheim’s convention facilities could begin. The site has since been considered a possible location for building a terminal for an inner-city “people mover” or monorail network under study by the city.

The city manager said the second, four-acre parcel, now under lease to Melodyland, could be used for more parking or as an investment property for the city.