A wrote on Jul 15, 2008 2:19 PM:Hmmm, I live near there and would hope whatever was decided on would be something safe and entertaining rather than more shops. The "what" part is a good question. I hope they don't put office buildings. That would be boring. I think they should include a memorial wall on the property with all of the victims names who have died at the hands of gangs in Escondido. I think the city could bring a focus of peace to this property somehow. Anyway I'm sorry I don't know how they would accomplish that but that's what they get paid the big bucks for right? So just don't put another clothing store, check cashing store or dollar store, or laundromat please. Also please remember that traffic is pretty congested at that light so you should take that into consideration as well. Thank you.

Escondeeter wrote on Jul 15, 2008 2:35 PM:Jeff Epp better take another look at the Brown Act's real estate exception before the meeting. If the discussion doesn't involve price and conditions of sale, it can't be held in closed session. The intent of the exception is to enable the Council to conduct discussions among themselves about what their bottom line is on a deal, without having to disclose it to the other side because of the open meeting law. The presence of a developer in the meeting makes it obvious that's not the nature of the discussion here. The Brown Act does not permit holding a closed meeting just because the developer or the Council doesn't want the public to know what the specifics of the deal are. The public is entitled to know that information.

Dont look at me wrote on Jul 15, 2008 3:54 PM:I'm out of money, in part because of the councils previous shrewd investments. How much is this project going to cost the taxpayers?

Gringo wrote on Jul 15, 2008 4:24 PM:Guess Nctimes is hating on Gringo today since they haven't posted one of his comments. Come on Nctimes give us all equal space.

To Escondeeter wrote on Jul 15, 2008 4:36 PM:So what? When has a public official been convicted of violation of the Brown Act? Are you going to take the City to court? If not, then the City can keep having closed meetings.

JP wrote on Jul 15, 2008 5:22 PM:I loved Mayor Lori's comment about "it's going to have to be something we're really excited about because it's our property". I'm glad she understands how concerned a property owner is about what comes into their neighborhood or next door. I would have never guessed she was aware of this concept by the way Escondido has allowed low-income projects to abound, liquor stores, 50 laundromats, check-cashing stores, "upscale Latino store" (whatever that is!), thrift stores and other like businesses that don't promote a classy town. If you have stores that cater to low-income, that's what will come to the town! Maybe now she'll understand why we're concerned about the numerous rental properties in Escondido that have 15 cars parked around one home...especially when it's next door to "our property."

What wrote on Jul 15, 2008 5:28 PM:The agenda lists the following:
CONFERENCE WITH REAL PROPERTY NEGOTIATOR (Government Code §54956.8)
a. Property: 1201 East Washington Avenue, APN 230-141-01
Agency Negotiators: Charles Grimm and Jo Ann Case
Negotiating parties: City and Quong Enterprises, LLC
Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment

The agenda does not list a developer's presentation. Therefore, a presentation by a developer would violate the Brown Act.

Also, the meeting is being held under Gov. Code §54956.8, which allows 'a legislative body of a local agency may hold a closed session with its negotiator prior to the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease of real property by or for the local agency to grant authority to its negotiator regarding the price and terms of payment for the purchase, sale, exchange, or lease.'

The meeting must be with the agency's negotiator, NOT A DEVELOPER!! The topic must be price and terms of payment! NOT THE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT!

Opportunity wrote on Jul 15, 2008 5:49 PM:Here comes a new laundry mat and another dollar/budget store. Let's keeping bringing down the east valley corridor one block at a time. Nice work city council... keep catering to specific income groups. Has this area lost all hope of brining in middle income shoppers. How about a best buy or something a little more upscale like Las Posas in San Marcos.

prof wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:14 PM:That site is perfect for another swap meet - with longer hours and open seven days a week.

Concerned wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:33 PM:Please not another laundromat, 99 cent store, community clinic, tattoo parlor, liquor store, taco shop, check cashing center, bank.......

Disgusted wrote on Jul 15, 2008 10:59 PM:It's our mayor. She has really run this town to the ground. Why is she still in office?

There he goes wrote on Jul 15, 2008 11:31 PM:There goes Abed trying to kiss up to the Latino community after he has spent the last four years bashing them.

His quote: "We have to balance what the Hispanic residents in the area want with a commercial district that supports the new upscale and middle-income housing developments that have been built recently in the East Valley corridor," ... "I will support a good commercial project that complements the growing diversity of East Valley Parkway." - is NOTHING more than a political ploy to promote his campaign to retain his seat this November.

Vote Abed out - he doesn't care about the community in whole.

to the three stooges wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:27 AM:usually I never agree with Curly, but today Abed comment is right in the money; we need entertaintment for the whole family, is very important to keep the family together and we need something like Boomers or Vermont park in Escondido.

Bobby wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:13 AM:Fresh and Easy, an "upscale" latino supermarket? It's more of a mix of everyone, and pretty much middle class... El Tigre... thats a upscale latino market...

And whats this about this being a "prime" area? Get rid of all the graffiti and delapidated buildings, maybe than would it be "prime"

Idea wrote on Jul 16, 2008 8:19 AM:Maybe the Chamber of Citizens can pitch a tent on that site.

MJ wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:13 AM:How about a movie theater run by a local company like Ultrastar? Or, is the city still bound by the sweetheart deal that resulted in Regal getting exclusivity?

Traffic wrote on Jul 16, 2008 10:52 AM:...already is an issue with that intersection. Put in anything and it's gonna to require a huge remodel to accommodate customers. Forget the fact that it's a major corridor (78).

Not so old timer wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:11 AM:I guess some people commenting here haven't lived in Esco for 30 years like I have. There USED to be a Boomers on Mission where Lowes is now. It became a run-down hole over the course of its dying years and was finally put out of its misery. I don't think such a place would survive to make money on that end of town, much less avoid becoming a rat-infested grafitti magnet.

As for an "upscale" retailer, well, Washington Square (directly across the street from the parcel in question) used to be a nice shopping center with an Ethan Allen furntiture gallery as an anchor. Ethan Allen, people! Visit their store on Furniture Row in San Marcos if you doubt their pedigree. There's no way that this inept council could lure a *truly* upscale retailer to that area. What we'll end up with instead is another ill-advised "mixed use" project with empty storefronts on the ground floor and low-income apartments above. Count on it.

tax dolllars wrote on Jul 16, 2008 11:59 AM:Abed would like a bowling alley??? Boy that would bring in tax dollars. Get real.

Al wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:09 PM:Sam Abed is right on! We need a new fammily entertainment center in this town not more more retail shops. Tthere are plenty already!
I wrote the city council when the K-Mart was up for sale recommending a new up-scale bowling alley and a recreation center. They putin a Lowes. I wrote Sam Abed recently and suggested we convert the vacant furniture store on 2nd Ave into a combination bowling alley and Fuddruckers restaurant. No comment from him. Ever go to the San Marcos Eagle Lanes? Always busy!
Ever go to the Fuddruckers in Mira Mesa? Always busy.
No more shops!!!!!

BRP wrote on Jul 16, 2008 12:25 PM:Yup, Sam ended up pandering too, and insulting Latino's in the same sentence.

& Yup, if the developer attends a "closed negotiation meeting" it's a Brown Act violation.

Olde Tymer wrote on Jul 16, 2008 1:18 PM:Go to Google, retrieve on the terms with quote marks, "Malls of America" and "Escondido Village Mall" to see East Valley Pkwy when it had some class, along with an upscale retailer called Walker Scott. Those truly were the days, my friends.

LisaP wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:30 PM:I am too tired to blog today.

To Old Tymer wrote on Jul 16, 2008 2:31 PM:You are correct, those were the good old days. Housed a great Barber Shop with a guy named Pete that gave the best haircuts. Sears was there also where you could go talk with employees that knew what they were talking about. Don't forget the Ferrels ice cream that was great for the kids. Well I guess what we have know is called progress!

Maybe wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:23 PM:a developer should just go in there and build something...but make sure whatever it is, is against federal law, so the local yahoos won't do anything about it!!

Hey Bobby wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:25 PM:any idea what's going in where Ralphs was at the old mall?

Can someone wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:33 PM:Tell me which gas station Abed owns so I can be sure to do all my gas shopping there? I support him and want him to get my business

What were they thinking wrote on Jul 16, 2008 4:50 PM:"Disagreement about the price of the property also derailed the High Tech High proposal, with the charter school offering less than $3 million shortly after the site was appraised at $5.1 million in spring 2006. High Tech High chose to locate its North County campus in San Marcos." - No comment necessary

To Can someone wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:40 PM:It's on Esco, Blvd. and Broadway. While you're there be sure to try the coffee, it's grrrreat!!

LisaP wrote on Jul 16, 2008 6:55 PM:Elections are just around the corner. Now is the time for the residents of mobile home parks to stay united (we beat Prop. 98 together) and show these City Council Members that we're tired of being kicked around. EMPAC is working hard to make your voices heard and we need your help. Stay involved and informed, we are on a roll and we're not slowing down!

JSten wrote on Jul 16, 2008 7:50 PM:What I don't understand is why not show the project to the public? This approach/manipulation of the legal process to gain some sort of advantage to a special interest stinks. If it is such a good idea, why not let everyone in on it?