The City of Mission Viejo, Calif., is in negotiations with the owner of a former Stein Mart building to purchase the property and upgrade the shopping center. However, critics of the initiative are concerned that the negotiations are taking place without enough input from the public. “They have not been transparent with this project, especially with this recent negotiation,” Larry Gilbert, of Mission Viejo, told The Epoch Times. “We deserve to know more about it. You’re not being as transparent as you could be or should be.” The city has been developing a core area vision plan for several years that would upgrade the Village Center, a 50-year-old shopping plaza near Marguerite Parkway and La Paz Road. The center, which sits on 28.6 acres, is comprised of more than a dozen private property owners. Redevelopment plans include the construction of new restaurants and cafes, walking trails, a public park, and a recreation area—costing the city an estimated $30 million. Council …