GARDEN GROVE : City to Buy Land for Trask Ave. Widening

The city’s Agency for Community Development will spend $10 million in bond money to buy property for widening Trask Avenue to ease traffic congestion and make room for an expanded auto complex.

Agency Chairman Mark Leyes said Trask Avenue needs to be widened to relieve heavy traffic caused by the road’s proximity to the Garden Grove Freeway.

The auto mall, on Trask Avenue between Magnolia and Brookhurst streets, is a major source of revenue for the city and should be expanded, he said.

Community Development directors, also voted to spend about $400,000 to improve the Village Green theater complex.

Plans call for new carpeting, repairs to the stage and removal or repair of the “squeaky” seats at the Gem Theatre. Additional restrooms are planned at the amphitheater in the complex.

The money comes from $62 million in bonds sold by the city in July. Most of the money went to refinance previous bonds that the city had sold at a higher rate of interest. But $24 million is available for public projects.

To be decided at future meetings are proposals for several major developments, including a $4.5-million building for college classes on agency-owned land near Euclid Street and Garden Grove Boulevard. A $2.5-million parking structure is also proposed for the nine-acre site.

Other proposals include expanding the police facility in the public safety building for $4.8 million, rehabilitating the 70-year-old City Hall for $2.6 million or building a new one for $4 million, and building a Civic Center parking structure for $2.5 million.