New Health-Care Center Considered

A building plagued with heating, roofing, electrical and asbestos problems is prompting county supervisors to consider buying a new health-care headquarters for $1.9 million.

County supervisors today will consider a resolution of intention to purchase a 42,000-square-foot building owned by Nuevo Energy Co. at 2323 Knoll Drive in Ventura.

County administrators say the Bard Building on Foothill Road--home to the Health Care Agency administration, public and mental health programs for children, emergency medical services and public health education--is prone to immediate closure this winter in the event of heavy winds or rain.

The owners of the Nuevo Energy building have accepted the county’s $1.9-million offer, county officials say, suggesting the building’s purchase could be financed with certificates of participation, which are like bonds; commercial loans; or cash.

Buying a building instead of leasing new office space would save the county $6.5 million over 15 years, county projections show. The new building would effectively pay for itself over four years, officials say.

If the purchase is approved, it would be the county government’s second major building purchase in recent months.

Seeking to reduce the nearly $4.6 million the county spends each year to lease commercial space, county supervisors Nov. 11 agreed to buy the Chevron building across the street from the County Government Center for $2.75 million.

Officials believe that over 15 years, that purchase will save more than $5.5 million. Officials say the savings will cover the cost of the three-story, 36,000-square-foot Chevron building in about eight years.