GOP Raising Money for Burbank Offices

A Republican philanthropist has raised most of the money needed to pay for a permanent state GOP headquarters in Burbank that is to be named after President Reagan.

Margaret Brock, who has been nicknamed “Mrs. Republican” by California GOP members, said she wants to raise an additional $336,000 by this fall. Reagan has committed to attending a dedication later this year, she said. The building is valued at $865,000.

“I’ve found that people have been quite responsive to us, and I can’t wait to get the rest of this building paid off,” Brock said Thursday.

The building, in the 1900 block of West Magnolia Boulevard, has been occupied by state GOP workers since August. They formerly were in a rented building in Burbank but officials wanted a place they could call their own. They made a down payment on the Magnolia property and have been paying off the balance.

No More Rent

“We decided that it was better to stop wasting money on rent that could be going to candidates and campaigns,” said Richard Warmuth, the finance coordinator of the state headquarters. He said the party had been spending about $6,000 a month on rent.

The 15,000-square-foot headquarters has office space and room for volunteers and Republican support organizations, Warmuth said.

He said Burbank was chosen because it is next to three freeways--the Hollywood, Golden State and Ventura--and Burbank Airport.

“When we decided to move, we looked at places near Los Angeles International Airport and other buildings, but we felt this was the best location,” Warmuth said

Brock said she would be contacting affluent Republicans during the next few months to raise the final payment. No fund-raisers are planned, she said.

“If we can’t get it paid off this year, we hope to do it before Reagan leaves office,” she said.