Monterey County supervisors vote to buy Capital One building

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors voted 3 to 2 in favor of purchasing the former Capital One building in Salinas Tuesday, despite heated opposition from many local business and civic leaders.

Many business leaders are against the county purchasing the building.

An organization calling itself “”Save Our Local Economy” has argued there isn’t an upside to the potential purchase and members say it would have a negative affect on the local economy.

But county officials say they need the space for county offices and for parking. Currently there are several county agencies — such as the District Attorney’s Office — working out of modular buildings.

The purchase price is $36 million – $13 million is the net cost to the county. Capital One will support the rest.

The plan would be to relocate 147 employees currently working out of the government center.