MISSION VIEJO : Land Swap Was Months in Making

The multimillion-dollar land swap between the city and the Mission Viejo Co. that was announced this week caught many residents by surprise, but city officials say the deal had been on the table for several months.

The exchange involved a trade of four recreation centers owned by the Mission Viejo Co. on 21 acres for a city-owned office complex that sits on about 2.5 acres.

City Manager Fred Sorsabal said he kept word of the land swap confined to a small group of city officials.

“I wasn’t at liberty to discuss any of it,” he said. “I regard it as an outstanding swap. This is an excellent deal for the community.”

The city has estimated the value of the recreation halls, which offer a range of facilities from tennis courts to swimming pools and weight rooms, at between $11 million and $12 million. The vacant, two-story office building at 24800 Chrisanta Ave. cost the city $3.1 million in August, 1990.

“They made us an offer we couldn’t refuse,” said Councilwoman Sharon Cody. “It feels good to finally be in a place where the company and the community can sit down and do something for the future.”

The recreation centers were built by the Mission Viejo Co., the development firm that is the architect of this planned community. Access to the centers and facilities at Lake Mission Viejo are part of a recreation package the developer has offered to home buyers.

But with the construction of housing tracts scheduled to conclude in 1995, the developer has been phasing out of Mission Viejo. Company officials say they have been negotiating with the city over the recreation centers for three years.

“We wanted the city to have the first opportunity to buy them,” said company spokeswoman Wendy Wetzel. “These centers certainly give the city a great opportunity for the future. We’re delighted that they’ve chosen to take advantage of them.”

The city must still decide how the centers will be operated.