City, YCOE make deal to restore, use former chamber of commerce building

Nov. 9—The Marysville City Council on Tuesday unanimously approved an agreement with the Yuba County Office of Education (YCOE) to allow it to occupy the former chamber of commerce building that also once housed the Gold Sox headquarters, with needed repairs expected before its full use.

Located at 429 10th St. near Ellis Lake, the building has fallen into disrepair since it was abandoned and city leaders are hopeful a new agreement and tenant will turn the building around.

"This is very well received by the council. ... It will bring life to that corner," Marysville Mayor Chris Branscum said.

Approved Tuesday was a use agreement between the city and YCOE that will continue through April 30, 2028. As part of the agreement, YCOE will provide a staff member to assist with city parks and recreation scheduling and give the city access to parks and recreation software.

Along with providing "ongoing activities for Marysville youth," YCOE also will be responsible for maintaining the facility. The city will maintain the surrounding park area.

In exchange, YCOE will not pay rent to the city for the use of the facility, but will "pay all applicable real estate taxes and insurance premiums on the Premises, including land, building and improvements thereon," according to the annex agreement. YCOE also is responsible for all utilities.

Before YCOE will move into the building, the city has agreed to utilize grant funds to make about $300,000 worth of repairs. Those improvements include repairing the roof, repairing all broken windows and glass doors, repairing the heating and air conditioning system, repairing the electrical system, and various plumbing issues.

"The property is rundown," Bobbi Abold, assistant superintendent of instruction for YCOE, said. "The neighbors of the property are hanging out there and it just really is an eyesore. Right there, on the edge of the lake. This is going to be a beautiful place for the city of Marysville."

The five-year time frame for the lease agreement coincides with grant money the city was awarded from Proposition 64.

"The total award for the grant is up to $3,000,000 with a five-year grant project cycle commencing on May 1, 2023, and ending on April 30, 2028, with no local match agreement. There is no cost to the General Fund as all reimbursement for expenses will come from the Proposition 64 Grant with no rental payments included in this lease," the city said in its fiscal analysis.

Abold said working with the city on the agreement for the facility has been an "amazing" experience.

"When we sat at the table and we were brainstorming the structure for the grant, we came up with the best idea to use these grant dollars to beautify the property so that we can offer extended youth programming out of the facility. It really is just a win-win," Abold said.

Marysville Community and Economic Development Director Dan Flores echoed Abold's sentiments about the agreement with YCOE, which he said is another example of the forward momentum Marysville officials have been pushing for.

"This grant is a win-win for the city of Marysville and for the Yuba County Office of Education," Flores said in a statement to the Appeal. "It's an even bigger win for youth in the city of Marysville and surrounding area as they will benefit greatly from the activities and services sponsored by YCOE and the new parks and recreation scheduling services that will be offered at the site. Our city council is focused on continuing the strong momentum in Marysville and continuing this momentum will only be successful by involving all the residents of Marysville, including our youth."