BREA : Community Center Project’s Fate Likely to Be Decided by City Council Tonight

The fate of the Brea Community Center project is expected to be decided tonight at a special meeting of the City Council.

During the past two weeks, officials have been assessing whether the city can sell bonds to pay for the $7-million project, which was halted when the county investment pool collapsed.

Brea had $9 million in the pool when the county filed for bankruptcy Dec. 6. The city is operating with a general fund budget of $27.2 million for the 1994-95 fiscal year.

If the council allows the project to proceed, officials might attempt to shave $250,000 to $300,000 off construction costs.

These savings could be accomplished by using less expensive lighting fixtures at the center, reducing the amount of colored concrete paving, making the entry sign smaller and eliminating an anti-graffiti coating.

The 54,000-square-foot center is planned for a site at Randolph Avenue and Birch Street, next to the Brea Civic & Cultural Center.

A gymnasium, meeting rooms and other facilities are included in the center’s design.

The special council meeting will begin at 4 p.m. with a closed session in the City Hall executive conference room. The meeting is at 5:15 p.m.

For more information, call the city clerk’s office at (714) 990-7755.