COSTA MESA — After hours of debate, the City Council voted 4 to 1 Tuesday night in favor of a ground lease agreement with a Newport Beach-based real estate company that will finance and operate the Orange County Fairgrounds for the city, if the state Legislature permits Costa Mesa to buy the landmark property from the state.
Calling the process flawed, Councilwoman Katrina Foley dissented.
The city and its chosen partner, Facilities Management West, still must work out community use and other terms of the $96-million agreement to buy the fairgrounds.
And perhaps more importantly, the lease cannot be finalized unless the Legislature passes laws allowing the sale — an issue that is now in question since the state put the fairgrounds back up for sale this week.