Costa Mesa loses on proposed fairgrounds move

ALLAN MANSOOR

The Orange County Fairgrounds have been a part of Costa Mesa for

almost 60 years and is a part of our city heritage. Taking the

fairgrounds out of Costa Mesa is unthinkable, as it is a major part

of our recreation, education, and entertainment. It provides a venue

for 4-H programs, the Orange County Marketplace, the Annual Fair, the

Costa Mesa Gun Show, the Pacific Amphitheater, the Scottish Games,

the Indian Pow Wow and numerous other events.

It’s interesting to me that the focus seems to be on selling the

Orange County Fairgrounds without emphasizing other state property.

When this issue first surfaced, Assemblyman John Campbell, who

represents the area, said it was a “win-win-win” situation, with the

Great Park in Irvine receiving the Fair & Exposition Center, the city

of Costa Mesa receiving urban center, high-density commercial and

residential development, and the state benefiting from the proceeds

of the sale. To me this is a win-lose-lose situation, with the city

of Irvine being the big winner and Costa Mesa and the state being the

losers.

Costa Mesa would be stuck with proposed high-density development

and the traffic that goes with it. And I question how much money

would be left over from the sale for the state after money is poured

into the new fairgrounds.

So why focus on just the fairgrounds and not all state property?

This seems to me to be nothing more than a proposed giveaway to Mayor

Larry Agran and the People’s Republic of Irvine.

It is obvious to me that the diplomatic steps being taken now will

result in the fairgrounds being moved to Irvine. I am not interested

in diplomacy at this point. The fair must stay in Costa Mesa. This

can of worms was opened by Campbell, who has now taken a more neutral

stance on this issue, but the damage is done. The worms need to be

put back in the can and the lid closed by him stating publicly that

he supports keeping our fairgrounds in Costa Mesa.

Let’s not forget also that the option of an airport at El Toro has

been taken from us with the promise of more flights over Costa Mesa

and Newport Beach from John Wayne Airport. Now Irvine wants to take

our fairgrounds too.

Consider some of these facts: Almost 80% of all regional park,

recreation, and open space is already located in south Orange County.

Relocation of the fair would further that already unfair imbalance.

Relocation means the permanent loss of year-round and seasonal

jobs. It means the loss of existing revenue to the city. Measure W

was approved by the voters to not only prohibit construction of an

airport at El Toro but to add open space and recreational

opportunities. This was not supposed to be a bait-and-switch to take

such assets from the city of Costa Mesa and replace them with

high-density development and the traffic that goes with it.

Relocation means no net gain in open space for Orange County.

Additionally, the fair board is pouring $9 million into the

Pacific Amphitheater for renovations. This does not make sense, if

the fair will be moving.

The Orange County Fair is under the jurisdiction of the Department

of Food and Agriculture. It is my understanding that state code says

that the proceeds of any sale of land under the department’s

jurisdiction must be reinvested statewide in fairs and exposition

centers. It is also my understanding that there is case law that

prohibits the diversion of proceeds from the sale of state

agricultural property to the state’s general fund. The laws are

clearly in place. The state needs to follow the rules that are in

place and not change them as they go along. The state took our

revenue and now officials want to not only take our fairgrounds, but

also a source of revenue because they cannot control their insatiable

spending habits. For a legislator to ask “What laws need to be

changed to make it truly an “Orange County Fair?” is an insult to

Costa Mesa. Last time I checked, Costa Mesa was still part of Orange

County.

This proposal to relocate the fair is anything but fair to the

city of Costa Mesa, and we will do everything possible to retain the

existing park, open space and institutional zoning. Let’s do the

right thing and keep the fair in Costa Mesa.

* ALLAN MANSOOR is a Costa Mesa city councilman.