Commentary: The city should buy Fairview Center for supportive housing

Upon reading the article, “Bill to allow more housing for disabled” (Aug. 9), I again realized the urgency with which our city needs to be able to purchase the Fairview Developmental Center property for, at least, two reasons.

The housing mandated by Senate Bill 82 could be the beginning of the much-needed permanent, supportive housing in our city. State law is now mandating housing units be built on the property, a minimum of 20% to be available and affordable for the developmentally disabled.

The other units could be dedicated to permanent, supportive housing. There are already houses on the property that would only add to our current housing availability.

A second reason for Costa Mesa to purchase that large parcel of land would be to provide the additional lighted sports fields desired by some city residents. This would negate any reason to pursue any sports fields in Fairview Park and leave Fairview Park in its natural state, as stipulated in its purchase.

I would want planners to make maximum use of the buildings and facilities currently on the property and give thoughtful consideration to how they may need to be only refurbished to meet needs for children and families in our community.

Indeed, Costa Mesa and Orange County need affordable housing. I would encourage our City Council to work with the federal Housing and Urban Development to use block grant funding as one part of the financing to purchase Fairview Developmental Center.

I would expect our City Council to present other additional means to be able to purchase the land to the electorate. A bond would seem to be acceptable to the many residents who see the need for housing and sports fields.

We have been presented with a great opportunity to serve our residents. Let’s see that our City Council takes purposeful action to move forward on the purchase of Fairview Developmental Center, when it is closed by state law.

MARGARET MOONEY lives in Costa Mesa.