City Plans Buyout of Park’s Residents

Residents of Oasis Mobile Home Park, the last seniors-only park in the city, were notified this week that the city plans to purchase their coaches and pay to relocate the park’s tenants, most of whom are elderly, to other spots in Garden Grove.

“The letter said they were coming to buy our coaches, and we contacted our attorney,” said Pat Solomon, 63, manager of the 127-space park. Residents have signed petitions and met with city officials to avoid eviction, she said, and will not abandon the fight now.

The park sits on a valuable piece of property that the Garden Grove Agency for Community Development proposes turning into an entertainment center known as E-Street. The plan is to replace the Harbor Boulevard park with restaurants, movie theaters and shops.

Robert Williamson, a Santa Ana attorney hired by Solomon, said he is investigating options available to the residents and plans to present some choices in about two weeks. The City Council is to consider the E-Street project at its Dec. 17 meeting.

City Manager George Tindall said the redevelopment agency has been directed by the council to begin negotiating with residents on relocation. About $6 million has been earmarked to buy the 12-acre park and compensate the tenants for their coaches, Tindall said.

“We have sent a letter to all park residents indicating that we will make offers shortly,” Tindall said. “The park is located in the path of opportunity, and we want to make this as painless and less stressful as possible. This city has never operated without a lot of compassion.”

But Solomon, whose elderly parents hold the lease on the park property through 2013, said the situation is unsettling for the residents. “There have been men out here with legal pads and pencils walking around. Then city planners were out here taking core samples on my property,” Solomon said.