City Pays $7.1 Million for Property

Costa Mesa has bought the farm. And at $7.1 million in cash, the 18 acres that the City Council voted to purchase from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District is the single most expensive thing the city has ever bought.

The property, formerly a farm operated by Costa Mesa High School, was offered for sale by the school district in March to help pay for repairs to schools in Newport Beach and Costa Mesa. The city was interested in buying it because residents have lobbied for more park space.

“I see this as something that would benefit the entire community,” Councilwoman Sandra L. Genis said. “It’s not just for youth sports, but it will be used by senior citizens and anyone who enjoys open space.”

Had the city not purchased the land, the school district would have considered selling it to a residential developer.

In earlier meetings, the city discussed converting the land into an athletic complex, complete with a track, football, baseball and basketball fields. But officials said this week that there is no money available for the project right now.

Peter Buffa was the only member of the council on Tuesday who voted against the purchase, pointing out that, because of the cash crunch, the property will be vacant for a long time before sports facilities can be built.

“Don’t put your house up for sale,” he advised a resident who told council members he would sell his home if athletic fields were going to be built nearby. “You will be a distant memory in some family photo album before we can do anything with this.”