THOUSAND OAKS : Sale Accord Reached on Jungleland Parcel

Owners of a 1.6-acre parcel have agreed to sell the property to Thousand Oaks for the city’s planned Jungleland development, officials announced Wednesday.

City Atty. Mark G. Sellers said an agreement was reached last month between the city and the landowners, Frank Soares and relatives of Louis Goebel. Goebel, who died in 1981, owned the wild animal park, and Soares was Goebel’s accountant.

The pact concludes nearly two years of negotiations between Thousand Oaks and representatives of the property owners. The city this week will enter a 30-day escrow period, Sellers said.

Sellers and Mayor Frank Schillo refused to disclose the price, saying they did not want to jeopardize the deal before escrow is completed.

“It’s taken a long time to get everything lined up,” Schillo said.

City officials so far have paid about $20.7 million to buy nearly 22 acres near the corner of Thousand Oaks Boulevard and Conejo School Road.

The project’s $63-million budget will cover the cost of building a new city hall, arts auditorium and a forum, but it does not include the cost of land.

Thousand Oaks last year bought 20 acres from another landowner for $17.9 million after a lengthy legal battle over the property. In April, the city agreed to pay $2.8 million for two half-acre parcels to build an entrance for the planned civic arts plaza.