Fred C Nelles Facility Listed For Sale

Taken from the Whittier Daily News

Fred C. Nelles facility listed for sale, again
By Ben Baeder, Staff Writer
Posted: 08/18/2009 06:21:04 PM PDT

WHITTIER - The Fred C. Nelles Youth Correctional Facility property is officially for sale, again.
The shuttered youth prison's five-year redevelopment saga entered a new phase Tuesday when it was listed for sale on the state's Web site.

The listing reassured city officials that the 73-acre site will finally be sold.

"This is a huge step for us," said Councilman Owen Newcomer, who is on a city subcommittee with Councilwoman Cathy Warner for the development of Nelles.

The state closed the prison in 2004 after 113 years of operation. State officials expected to quickly sell the land along Whittier Boulevard. The city created development guidelines in 2005, and by June 2006 developer Meruelo-Maddux Properties Inc. agreed to buy the property for $107 million. However, state officials canceled the sale the next month, saying the property might be needed for prison medical uses.

Since then, the Whittier City Council has worked with state Sen. Ron Calderon, D-Montebello, and his brother, Assemblyman Charles Calderon, D-Industry, to lobby the government to sell the land.

An official appointed to oversee the state's prison system agreed last month to sell Nelles.
Because the housing market crashed, Whittier will likely have to throw out development guidelines created in 2005, City Manager Steve Helvey said.

Plans called for 600-700 residential units, including houses and townhomes.
"We're going to work with whoever buys it," Helvey said. "They are essentially going to get custom zoning based on what works best for everyone."

With the real estate market in turmoil, local real estate experts said it would be difficult to appraise the land. It could be worth half of what Meruelo-Maddux offered in 2006, brokers said. In addition, the site has historic buildings, which would require a hearing before they were knocked down, altered or moved.

No price was listed on the advertisement on the Web site of the Department of General Services, which is selling the land. A message left at the DGS office was not returned Tuesday.
Council members have talked of "wish lists" for the property, including an office building, senior housing and a large retailer, such as Costco. The land has historic buildings, including an old church.

Charles Calderon said he was glad that his district will no longer be home to violent juvenile offenders.

"I don't know of anyone who would have been happy if that became a prison again," he said.
To see the state's listing for the property, go to:

http://www.surplusproperty.dgs.ca.gov/
ben.baeder@sgvn.com
(562) 698-0955, Ext. 3911

And yes, I will put in a bid!