BREA : Financing Delays Vote on Center

A final decision on the fate of the Brea Community Center has been put off for two weeks while city officials collect more data on how to finance the $7-million project. The City Council will hold a special meeting on the matter at 4 p.m. Feb. 16.

Officials are examining the economic feasibility of the city issuing a bond to pay for the center. Groundbreaking was scheduled for Dec. 12, but construction was put on hold in response to the county financial crisis.

Brea had $9 million in the investment pool when the county declared bankruptcy Dec. 6.

“From everything we know, (the bond) is a very viable option,” City Manager Frank Benest said at a special council meeting this week.

Brea is also looking at ways to shave $250,000 to $300,000 off the center’s construction costs. These steps could include using less expensive lighting fixtures, reducing the amount of colored concrete paving, making the entry sign smaller and eliminating an anti-graffiti coating.