City to pick up Bayside tab

Although district officials are cheering the move, they are still searching for a spot to permanently locate their district office. The district's current headquarters - stretched over three storefronts on 42nd Avenue — are leased for $280,000 a year.

The district moved its offices to that location temporarily three years ago after Beresford Elementary School reopened. Beresford was the former location for the district offices.

During the past three years, district officials have scoured the city for alternative locations but neighborhood opposition to a proposed office near the Turnbull Learning Academy in the North Central neighborhood and a lengthy time-line for a downtown site at Fifth and Railroad avenues precluded any relocation at this time, according to Associate Superintendent Tish Busselle.

Another site near the U.S. Highway 101/State Route 92 interchange was also ruled out because it entailed a lease and redevelopment agencies cannot provide money for leased properties.

No other locations are on the horizon, Busselle said, but a new location is a priority since the lease on the 42nd Avenue site is up August 2001. Because the $2.3 million from the city will go to the $6.5 million 650-seat Bayside Theater, Busselle said other district money will be set aside later for a new district office.

The city money comes from its redevelopment agency which was formed in 1981. When city officials formed the redevelopment agency, they specified - in accordance with state law - that all tax money from Downtown and the Shoreview area be earmarked for improvements such as new storefronts and street repairs. To make up for lost tax revenue for school districts, the city of San Mateo offered to divvy some money for district capital projects. When the city refinanced bonds for the redevelopment agency in 1997, it was required to spend 85 percent of the money within three years, according to Economic Development and Business Assistance Manager Diana Whitecar. The city also provided $3 million for a new community gymnasium at San Mateo High School.

The City Council is set to vote on the allocation at their 8 p.m. Nov. 20 meeting at City Hall.