New Purpose for Old City Hall

The city of Murrieta Economic Development Department is proposing leasing out the former City Hall for $1 a year to serve as a regional technology center.

The Murrieta Regional Technology Innovation Center would be located in the currently vacant building at 26442 Beckman Court in Murrieta. Tenants—to be comprised of start-ups or companies looking to establish a base in southwest Riverside County—would be responsible for paying for utilities.

"During high-tech events in San Diego, Orange County and Los Angeles, the city is frequently asked if Murrieta offers low-cost space for the growth of young technology companies as an incentive for such companies to locate in this region," wrote Economic Development Director Bruce Coleman, in a staff report.

In August 2011, . The San Diego technology hub is one of 12 designated by the Governor's Office of Economic Development.

In addition, Coleman said the city was recently approached by who wish to utilize the space to manage programs that would encourage the growth of locally-based technology companies.

"Most new jobs in the United States are created by start-up companies," Coleman said.

Coleman said the space would strictly be available to high tech start-ups, and that potential clients would be evaluated to determine if they the goal of creating future high-end employment in the community. Tenant agreements would be approved by the City Manager's office, and would include specific performance goals and the amount of time they would be allow to use the space.

"Once businesses located in the center have grown sufficiently, they would be required to relocate into private space and make room available for new technology companies," Coleman said.

It is estimated that $10,000 in repairs will be needed to make the building tenant-ready. Those funds would come out of the city's Capital Improvement Plan. Coleman said Economic Development Department marketing dollars would be used to promote the center.

"No longer can cities look primarily to Washington or Sacramento to create jobs," Coleman said. "Some regions will be more successful than others. The proposed innovation center is intended to provide an additional foundation for this region to provide city Economic Development staff support."

City Council is expected to vote on whether to establish the technology center during its regularly scheduled Council meeting tonight at 6 p.m. at