No to Charle's Co. for now
If you're expecting the La Puente City Council to discuss extending an exclusive negotiating agreement with the Charles Co. tonight, don't hold your breath.
Here are some excerpts from a story I wrote for tomorrow's paper:
A recent land deal, the economy and a proposed big-box retail project at a main thoroughfare have officials rethinking negotiations with a prominent developer.
In a special meeting Monday, the Community Development Commission voted 3-2 to solicit interest from developers who previously submitted proposals for the Hacienda Boulevard project, essentially stalling talks with the Charles Co. for the same development.
La Puente officials have been in negotiations with the Los Angeles-based company for about a year for what has been preliminarily projected as an 11.5-acre retail commercial center in the 1300 block of Hacienda Boulevard at Fairgrove Avenue.
Mayor Louie Lujan and Councilwoman Nadia Mendoza say they want to "take a step back" and weigh all options before moving forward with a developer for the project, pegged as a retail center.
Councilman Dan Holloway said he has concerns about lingering effects of the city's budget.
And council members John Solis and Lola Storing disagree with their colleagues all together, citing loss to the city and wasted time.
City staff members have 45 days to solicit interest from developers who formerly submitted plans to the city for the project.
Some of those previous developers include Newmark Merrill, Lowe Enterprises and Ed Roski's Majestic Realty.
Maybe Roski will build his football stadium in La Puente instead?