BREA : Two Redevelopment Measures Approved
The City Council this week unanimously approved two measures that may finally advance a long-delayed downtown redevelopment project.
The council, sitting as the Redevelopment Agency, authorized the staff to seek bids on the grading of 30 acres downtown and to hire a mediator to resolve disputes between the city and downtown business owners displaced by the project.
The grading, estimated to cost $1.7 million, will clear the sites of the Gateway Center project by the Watt Commercial Development Co., a housing project by Baywood Development Co., a church and a proposed public library.
In a move city officials hope will end the impasse with downtown business owners, attorney Richard del Guercio was hired to act as a mediator.
The Brea Small Business Coalition sued the city last year over the city’s failure to provide for a relocation plan for displaced businesses. As part of an out-of-court settlement, the city agreed to hire a mediator to help resolve relocation disputes.
Sam W. Peterson, an engineer with the Redevelopment Agency, said the grading, scheduled to start next month, may take about six months.
Once grading is completed, construction will begin to install sewer, water, storm drains, electric, telephone and cable television lines, Peterson said.
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