COSTA MESA : SOS Agrees to Buy Site for $1.4 Million

Share Our Selves, the embattled charity being evicted from its city-leased home in a residential community center, signed an agreement Tuesday to purchase a building in a south Costa Mesa industrial area, where many neighboring business owners have already raised objections to the group’s presence.

The building is at 1550 Superior Ave. in a southwest part of the city dotted with commercial and light industrial businesses.

SOS board chairman Scott Mather said the group has agreed to pay $1.4 million for 5,700 square feet in a 12,000-square-foot building. The sale is contingent on the city’s permitting the charity to operate at the site.

Despite some opposition, Mather called the purchase a “major milestone” for 20-year-old SOS.

“It’s a big step in the right direction,” he said. “We’re going to take control of our own destiny for the people we serve.”

SOS directors have promised to mount a public relations campaign to stave off opposition from residents who complain about the type of people the agency attracts.

“It seems that anywhere we go there will be problems,” said SOS founder and chairwoman Jean Forbath. “But we’ve learned our lesson. We need to explain who we are and what we are doing before they hear bad things about our people. We would like to work in the community before anything goes forward.”

Earlier this month, the city officials had considered leasing the Superior Avenue building for the charity until the City Council rejected the plan as too costly.

During the council meeting, owners of several businesses and an adjacent mobile home park objected to the charity moving to the neighborhood. Among their objections was the concern that crime might increase.

Several council members said at the time that, despite some objections, they would support the move.

Councilwoman Mary Hornbuckle said Tuesday that “there are some concerns that have to be addressed, but I think it is do-able. I believe the true impact on the area will be minimal. I think that if the business people would go and see the people that they (SOS) serve, many of their fears would be allayed.”

SOS is one of the largest private nonprofit groups in the county and provides food, clothing, medical and financial assistance to more than 20,000 needy people a month.