The deal finally hammered out was that the library could close the easement several times a year as needed such as for the twice-yearly Friends of the Library big Book Sales.The buyer, an LLC, expressed an interest in constructing up to eight condominiums on the property directly across the street from the Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s headquarters. But it was just a week or so after the escrow closed that a “For Sale” sign went back up on the property, with the new owner asking $875,000 - $400,00 more than the initial purchase price - for the property.Trustees had attempted to sell the property in the past, most notably to People’s Self-Help Housing, a deal that fell apart after the non-profit affordable home builder tried to expand the project onto Main Street.Proceeds from the land sale are earmarked for library facility improvements and an approximately $69,000 repayment to the Library Endowment, borrowed by the library for replacement of the heat and air-conditioning system.
New land owner clears property for resale
June 30, 2006
Santa Paula News
The Blanchard Community Library Board of Trustees learned at the June 20 meeting that the new owner of the Santa Barbara Street facing parking lot has cleared the property to meet weed abatement mandates.
By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Blanchard Community Library Board of Trustees learned at the June 20 meeting that the new owner of the Santa Barbara Street facing parking lot has cleared the property to meet weed abatement mandates. And, according to Librarian Dan Robles, the new owner went one step further by tearing up the aging asphalt as well as removing the deteriorated park area and seating.Robles told the BCL board of directors that the library had been notified that it had to clear the property for weed abatement, a notice that was passed on to the owner who “leveled out the entire property.” Escrow closed on the property, which BCL sold for about $475,000, earlier this year after a protracted negotiation over easement use of the north parking lot.Robles noted that he had a volunteer take down the library parking sign on the Santa Barbara Street side property.Board President Beverly Mueller noted that the north parking lot is still available, but requires some imagination for exiting. Muller said that she parks in the north parking and only has to “hang a U” turn to exit the property.