MISSION VIEJO : Officials Reconsider Move to City Facility

The on-again, off-again status of an office complex that might become a new City Hall will be reconsidered at least one more time by the City Council.

After leading a vote in February to put a city-owned office building at 24800 Chrisanta Drive up for sale, Mayor Robert A. Curtis said he now believes that the facility would be a good temporary home for city officials until a proposed civic center can be built.

The city now pays $400,000 a year to rent office space at 26522 La Alameda, and moving to the Chrisanta Drive property will save money and “take the pressure off our time schedule to construct the town center project,” Curtis said.

The mayor said he will ask the council on Monday to consider the move to Chrisanta Drive.

Councilwoman Susan Withrow, who voted against selling the vacant building in February, said she is glad Curtis “is coming around. This is going to surprise a lot of people. It’s a good idea because basic economic sense will tell you it’s better to own than to rent.”

The council voted to buy the building for $3.1 million less than a year ago to escape having to pay rent. But after three new council members were voted into office last November, the council reconsidered.

Saying the $1.2-million price tag for renovations needed to convert the building for city use was too expensive, the council voted 3-2 to sell the property.

Last week, the council canceled a pending deal to sell the building to real estate developer J.B. Financial, expressing concerns about a city staff report detailing several lawsuits that alleged fraudulent practices by the firm.

If the council approves the move on Monday, City Manager Fred Sorsabal said, there is a “strong possibility” that the Chrisanta Drive property could be ready by Oct. 1, when the city’s current lease for the La Alameda offices expires.