Possible Sale of City Hall to Be Discussed
The possible sale of Santa Paula City Hall and nearby Veterans Memorial Park to the Albertson’s grocery store chain will be discussed Tuesday night behind closed doors by the City Council.
“As of this date, there is no deal to buy, sell or do anything,” said interim City Manager Murray Warden. “I’m getting instructions from the council about whether they want to pursue anything or not.”
Warden’s comments were similar to those he made in the wake of an Aug. 4 meeting by city officials on the possible sale of the four-acre downtown parcel at Ventura Street and South 10th Street. Warden said he may be able to provide more details after Tuesday’s meeting.
City officials have long wanted to expand their cramped municipal quarters, but a proposed $300,000 expansion is on hold for lack of money.
The city is in the midst of a $3.5-million downtown revitalization project.
The economically depressed community lost an important sales tax source in 1995 after the closure of one of the city’s two large supermarkets.
The Boise, Idaho-based Albertson’s chain has more than 800 locations in California and 19 other states and is the nation’s fourth largest supermarket chain. Albertson’s stores average about 45,000 square feet.
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