Mission Viejo Approves Plans for New Facility Building, Event Space

The Civic Center in Mission Viejo on June 30, 2022. John Fredricks/The Epoch Times

The Mission Viejo City Council recently approved plans to renovate an old city property into a new water plant, administrative offices, and an event space for residents.

The property—located at 27204 La Paz Road—is shared by the Santa Margarita Water District and the city. It previously housed the Oso Creek Water Treatment Plant, one of the original water plants in Orange County, and a corporate yard used by the city for administrative and storage purposes.

Since 2020, the city has been working with the water district on plans for the renovation.

The new water treatment plant will treat more water with improved efficiency and with a smaller environmental footprint, according to city officials.

The district provides drinking water, recycled water and wastewater services to over 200,000 residents in Mission Viejo, Rancho Santa Margarita, and San Juan Capistrano, according to the district’s website.

Meanwhile, the city plans to construct at the location a new building for administration and storage and a barn, with a parking lot, for events such as parties and banquets.

The council approved—without discussion—the plans March 14, which were first brought forth in January.

“[The plan] looks like a win-win for the water district, the city, and ultimately, all the residents we serve,” Mayor Pro-Tem Trish Kelley said during a council meeting Jan. 24.

Assistant City Manager Keith Rattay said the changes could be educational for the city’s youth.

“It’s kind of an odd combination to have a water treatment plant and an event space in one [property],” Rattay said during the January meeting. “But I think it’s exciting because...there’s phenomenal educational opportunities to show kids how [the] reclaimed water process works.”

Councilman Brian Goodell added that the plans were in line with the vision for the city.

“I think the fact that we’re opening up the space for the event barn … [is] completely in line for the vision for that area,” Goodell said during the January meeting.

The plan includes a cost-sharing agreement with the water district, where the city will pay $4 million towards the construction of the city facilities, and a 30-year repayment of $8 million to the water district for the cost sharing of the water plant’s construction.

The Santa Margarita Water District will pay $33 million for the project, a spokesperson for the district told The Epoch Times in an email.

Construction is expected to start by the end of 2023 and be completed by summer 2024.