BREA : Council to Weigh Bidding on Project

The City Council will consider today whether to invite bids on a $1.8-million project to grade 30 acres for a proposed commercial and residential center in the downtown redevelopment area.

The project involves clearing land for the 22-acre Gateway Center project by the Watt Commercial Development Co., a housing project by Baywood Development Co., as well as the future site of the Foursquare Gospel Church.

It would be the first significant work on the downtown redevelopment area, where construction has been delayed for more than two years by legal action from business and property owners unhappy with their being forced from the area.

Much of the legal wrangling was settled out of court when the city created a relocation plan for displaced businesses. Several property owners, however, are still contesting the purchase price for their properties, which the Brea Redevelopment Agency acquired by eminent domain.

The Redevelopment Agency is financing the $100-million redevelopment of the old Brea downtown in partnership with developers.

In a report to the council, City Manager Frank Benest said the cost for the grading is estimated at $1.5 million, plus $300,000 in additional expenses for inspections, construction surveys and construction management.

Sam W. Peterson, an engineer with the Redevelopment Agency, said the grading is scheduled to start in May and will take about six months to complete. Work will start with the Gateway Center site north of Imperial Highway, eventually reaching the railroad tracks north of Brea Boulevard.

Peterson said that before the grading starts, certain buildings, including the existing Foursquare Gospel Church, will be demolished.

“The church is the key, “ Peterson said. “We want it relocated to a different site before grading starts.” He said there are also a “few houses” that have to be demolished.

The project also requires stabilization of certain areas where the soil is too soft, he said. This will involve constructing embankments along the railroad right of way and shutting railroad operations along the spur for up to six weeks.

Kirkhill Rubber Co. and Harte-Hanks Co., which are using the railroad for their deliveries, have agreed to the suspension, Peterson said. The final schedule will be worked out once the contract is awarded and the work plan is approved.