COSTA MESA

The City Council recently agreed to leases with the Newport-Mesa Unified School District for the use of Rea and Balearic school sites.

The city will lease a 30,000-square-foot area of vacant land at Rea for $1. A one-year extension of a $46,142 lease agreement for the Balearic property also was approved on a 5-0 vote.

Before Rea School was reopened to students, the city had used it as a community center and playground. Because of its location and community needs, the city has considered it for a park site.

Although there is no funding for the park now, it could prove to be a low-cost site in the future because the city would not have to purchase it.

The land also is already developed with turf and irrigation. Balearic School continues to be an active community center where an early childhood program operates and classes are available.