Extension OK for Civic Center plan

An extension of a controversial exclusive negotiating agreement that could eventually lead to the sale of the Westminster Civic Center’s land was approved by the City Council on a 3-2 vote Wednesday night.

In favor of a 90-day extension of the agreement with Sheldon Development, LLC were Mayor Tri Ta and Councilmembers Chi Charlie Nguyen and Kimberly Ho. Voting no were Councilmembers Tai Do and Sergio Contreras.

The ENA would conclude on Nov. 12, 2020.

What’s proposed is a project under which the city could sell its share of the Civic Center – located at 8200 Westminster Blvd. – in exchange for cash and construction of a new, possibly two-story city hall and improvements to other city buildings on the site. The developer would build condominiums as part of a mixed-use development. Not included is the West Justice Center court buildings to the west.

The specifics of the deal have yet to be resolved, and no decision on a final development agreement has been reached. The city will also consider alternatives to Sheldon’s proposal, according to Alexa Smittle, community development director.

The council backed the resolution officially enacting the extension despite some critical comments from members of the public that included remarks terming the proposed deal “pathetic” and “corrupt.”

Also on Wednesday, the council approved a special event permit for the Little Saigon-Westminster Tet Parade group to hold the annual Tet Parade on Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021.