Campbell introduces bill to raise funds for cottages

-- Paul Clinton

Assemblyman John Campbell introduced a bill Wednesday that could raise

as much as $10 million for the ramshackle cottages in Crystal Cove State

Park.

Campbell, who represents the area, as well as Newport Beach, has

proposed raising the money by increasing the rents of the residents of

the El Morro trailer park.

The residents, set to be evicted by California State Parks officials

in 2004, would be given a five-year extension. Also, caps on their rents

would be lifted, making the mobile homes essentially market rate.

Campbell’s legislation, known as Assembly Bill 2190, isn’t likely to

be heard in committee until late March or early May.

The assemblyman said he introduced the bill as an alternative way to

secure funding for the restoration of the cottages. The state is facing a

$17-billion deficit this year in the $75-billion budget.

State parks officials have said they have secured about $3.9 million

to restore the cottages and are looking for additional money.

The restoration job could cost between $15 million and $20 million.

“This is an answer to the funding question,” Campbell said about his

bill. “Whether it is the answer remains to be seen. It is an answer in

the current budget environment.”

Money could also come from Proposition 40, a statewide park bond on

the March 5 ballot. Campbell has said he opposes that bond because it

would add more debt to the state’s ledger. Also, much of the money has

already been reserved for other projects, Campbell said.