BREA : City Sells 4 Historical Homes for $193,500

After moving four historical homes from their original sites to Redwood Avenue, the city has sold them for a total of $193,500.

The new owners will begin making city-required improvements on the properties within three months.

The dilapidated homes, which were moved from a redevelopment area, must be rehabilitated to meet city codes, costing the owners about $100,000 each, city officials said. Each property owner must add a two-car garage and make exterior improvements by July, 1994. Interior improvements to the homes are required by December, 1994.

The Brea Redevelopment Agency spent $429,356 to purchase the new sites and move in the historic homes. In return, the agency expects to receive $37,840 in property taxes over the next 10 years, in addition to the $193,500 due when escrow closes within 90 days.

The City Council approved the sale of the homes this week on a 2-1 vote.

Councilwoman Kathryn E. Wiser, who voted against the sale, said: “I don’t think this is the proper way to be spending this much money.”

Mayor Burnie Dunlap was absent and Councilman Carrey J. Nelson abstained because he owns property on Redwood Avenue.

Alternatives to selling the homes, such as having the city rehabilitate them and offer them to low-income buyers, would have cost more, redevelopment services director Susan M. Georgino said.

John Mynes, a Redwood Avenue resident, spoke against the plan, saying that if “it’s costing the city that much money, I think it’s time to throw it out and start all over again.”

He suggested the city solicit higher bids for the homes, but Georgino said ads were placed in three newspapers and the highest of 30 bids were selected.

The homes, all built more than 78 years ago, are at 101, 107, 114 and 121 Redwood Ave. Their age and architectural design make them historically significant, city officials said.