COMPTON : Job Training Program Avoids Threatened Eviction

A Compton nonprofit job training program that faced eviction from the building it has occupied for 25 years will get to stay there after all.

The Mid-Cities Assn. for Retarded Citizens reached an agreement Tuesday with the building’s owner under which the organization will begin paying rent.

A real estate dealer bought the property on Alameda Street at auction after the building fell into default on property taxes. Mid-Cities officials said they fell behind in tax payments because the county failed to give proper notice. The county denied any improprieties. Mid-Cities will pay $1,476 a month to the new owner, Frank Prior. Half the money will go to a trust fund to be distributed after the issue of ownership is resolved in Superior Court next March. Program officials said they are the rightful owners because they would have paid taxes had they known they were due.