Ed. Note: This article has been updated with comments from city officials, who could not confirm what the negotiations concerning the Central Park property are regarding.
The Santa Clarita City Council is planning to discuss the “price and payment terms” for five parcels of land during a closed session meeting, including for a 380-acre parcel of land including Central Park, which the Castaic Lake Water Agency has leased to the city for the past 20 years.
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The parcels of land up for discussion include the Central Park location, as well as a 3.73 acre parcel on Golden Valley Road, a 2.5 acre parcel on Bouquet Canyon Road, a 28.25 acre parcel on Wellston Drive and a 12.85 acre parcel in the Saugus area.
While City Manager Ken Striplin confirmed to KHTS that the city was not planning to purchase Central Park, the exact aspects being negotiated were not immediately available because they are being discussed in a closed session meeting.
In 1997, an agreement was made to lease 130 acres of Castaic Lake Water Agency property to the city for $100 a year. The city began leasing the land after ground was broken in 1998.
Before the agreement, the site was a cow pasture below the Castaic Lake Water Agency’s Rio Vista Water Treatment Facility on Bouquet Canyon Road, according to local historians.
In 1998, the city awarded a $350,000 design contract to RJM Design Group, a $3,511,780 construction contract to Valley Crest, and a $65,000 (later $75,000) inspection contract to Willdan Associates for the first phase of construction for the park, according to city records.
Initial construction was completed in February 2000, and the park opened with lighted softball fields, sports fields, landscaping, restrooms, walkways, a parking lot and other infrastructure.
Subsequent years brought additional phases and amenities such as a community garden and a dog park.
In 2013, ground was broken for the third phase of the park’s construction, which included the development of two full-size, lighted, multi-use sports fields, 170 new parking stalls, lighted walkways connecting to existing park facilities, and improved running paths, irrigation, landscaping and drinking fountains, according to officials.
Ed. Note: A previous version of this story claimed the city of Santa Clarita was looking at purchasing Central Park. City officials have confirmed they are not looking to purchase the park, and this article has been updated to reflect that.
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What! Cry poor mouth and now spend Your money.
The cost of the land has increased exponentially in the last 20 years.