ESCONDIDO: New developer buys downtown site, presents plans
Sale comes nearly two years after fire burned half-built development
By DAVID GARRICK - Staff Writer | ∞
A new developer who just recently bought the Paramount condominium site, pictured here with the neighboring Horton condo project in the background, has submitted plans to the city to revise the project. (File photo by Waldo Nilo - Staff Photographer) ESCONDIDO ---- Amid concerns that the real estate crash might make the partially built Paramount condominium project a perennial downtown eyesore, a new developer has bought the property and presented revised design plans to the city.
While the developer has not committed to any specific construction schedule for the 4.5-acre project, city planning chief Jon Brindle said Thursday that company officials seemed eager.
"We didn't get the sense they were planning to wait a long time to start building," said Brindle. "They didn't just bring us a drawing on tissue paper. This was a fully developed plan."
Lyon Capital Ventures of Newport Beach bought the Paramount project this fall from D.R. Horton for $4.4 million, about 25 percent of Horton's $17.5 million purchase price in 2005. The sale came after the largest structure fire in Escondido history burned most of the half-built project, located near Escondido Boulevard and Washington Avenue, on Jan. 18, 2007.
With the lot vacant for nearly two years, concerns that the site could become a lingering eyesore downtown became a political issue recently. City Council candidate Olga Diaz raised the question of why the city did not have a plan in place for projects that are never completed.
City officials responded that existing laws already require property owners to take care of their land.
The new plans call for roughly 100 condominiums on the site, said Brindle. Horton had initially proposed 122 condos, but scaled the project back to 92 units after the fire halted construction. So Lyon has chosen a middle ground between those two options, said Brindle.
Lyon executives Ron Cole and Peter Zak did not return phone calls this week, but company officials praised the city in September for planning to bolster its downtown by adding upscale housing.
However, company officials met individually with some members of the City Council this fall to gauge the council's stance on changing the project from for-sale condominiums to for-rent apartments.
Councilmen Sam Abed, Ed Gallo and Dick Daniels said this week that they would not approve such a change just to avoid having a half-built project in the heart of downtown for several years.
"We need to maintain our commitment to homeownership," said Abed. "We're not going to compromise because of the economy."
Gallo said previous city compromises prompted by recessions have proven to be mistakes. He said a glaring example is the self-storage facility approved for just south of Westfield North County mall in the 1990s. The site had been earmarked for a hotel and restaurant, but Gallo said the city panicked and allowed the less-appealing storage facility.
"It's easy to have a knee-jerk reaction in tough economic times," said Gallo. "But there is no reason to allow the Paramount to become apartments or commercial. We have plenty of apartments and plenty of commercially zoned property in the city."
Daniels said he is willing to wait for the housing market to rebound.
"If there is an ideal location for housing in our urban core, that is it," he said.
Brindle said the new developer presented a plan for condominiums. But he explained that the developer could legally rent the units for several months or longer, and then sell them when the housing market recovered.
Brindle said the city has never included a condition in a development agreement requiring that housing units be sold. He said he wasn't sure how such a condition would work.
Brindle said the new plans were consistent with the urban appearance that city officials have wanted for the project, which is just north of the city's performing arts center.
The new plans also increase the amount of open space and improve Fire Department access for potential emergencies, said Brindle. But an issue with an easement forced the developer to make some changes, and Brindle said revised plans have not been submitted.
Larry Dean, owner of Escondido's Hanson Real Estate, said Friday that units in the Paramount might be slightly easier to sell than other condo projects because they are three-bedroom units, which are more appealing right now than units with two bedrooms or less.
Dean said Felicita Village on Escondido Boulevard is an example of three-bedroom condos that have remained relatively easy to sell during the real estate crash.
Lyon also bought the 1-acre Venue condo project from Horton, which is earmarked for 27 one-bedroom units and 55 two-bedroom units. That project, which is adjacent to the Paramount, cost $1.14 million, about 40 percent of the $3 million Horton paid in 2005.
Brindle said no new plans had been submitted for the Venue project.
Contact staff writer David Garrick at (760) 740-5468 or dgarrick@nctimes.com.
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Mexicat wrote on Oct 31, 2008 6:46 PM:Build it.
Mexidog wrote on Oct 31, 2008 7:31 PM:Agreed with the cat. Get on with it COE!
Bill in Escondido wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:02 PM:You know, when I first read this, I thought that's great, too. But, wait a minute.....
This project will create additional living space in Escondido. 3 bedroom condos. Along with that come kids. Or as I call them, students.
We can't just keep adding them to the current schools. We need to improve and update the schools first. And, we need to do it without asking the residents of Escondido to pay for it (Proposition T). Is it fair for me to pay higher taxes so a developer can build new condos?
The city needs to make sure that additional funding flows through the city and goes to the schools. The schools cannot just add on to the current burden without relief.
So, yes, let's get the project under way - but don't neglect the kids....
Escondeeter wrote on Oct 31, 2008 8:15 PM:The Venue project would make a good commercial project. I could never envision there being much of a market for a residence next to what is, in effect, a freeway.
jerrylen wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:29 PM:Is Olga Diaz the only candidate with a brain. She was shocked the city had no control over the Paramount property & the builder could just walk away. Now staff things apts are a good idea? We have over 42% "renters" in the city now, thanks to the LAST "Chamber Bunch", the ... Soon, we'll be like Berkley & have renters on the city council. Having one now, ... , is bad enough. If Olga & Barron win, the council will finally have someone that will make builders provide amenities, play areas, for children. Paramount had ZERO & was ok'd by our staff, who mainly don't even live here.
The Council wrote on Oct 31, 2008 9:36 PM:Geez Louise.
The Council rezoned the land from commercial to planned development residential with no commercial component.
Should have built office buildings - instead the city council wanted residential - now they have neither and don't know what to do.
One minute there isn't enough commercial land and the land they do have they say they do not want to "compromise" - in the next breath they are saying they have plenty of commercially zoned property in the city.
So, which is it? Plenty of commercial land or not?
Rental condos or for purchase only?
Get rid of this council!!! I can't stand the mixed messages anymore!!!
new council needed wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:19 PM:pleassssseeeeeee let's ge rid of Abed and Gallo
WOW wrote on Oct 31, 2008 11:50 PM:This council needs to be replaced.. With anybody.. Please... I cant take it anymore!!!! Please oh please oh please!!!replace them!!!4 days to new a new city... PLease people get out and vote!
Floyd wrote on Nov 1, 2008 12:14 AM:So after you allow for adequate parking, landscaping, and common amenities like pools and a playground, how much space will be available as living space? Not much! This smells like one of those "smart growth" disasters in the making.
GIFT HORSE wrote on Nov 1, 2008 12:14 AM:Never look a gift horse in the mouth. Retired Brig. General Bill Lyon has been a quality home builder in California for decades and a great patriot as well. He's putting up his hard earned capital and still investing in Escondido, despite political and market setbacks. He was going to build 600 units on the old Kmart site, but the City switched signals when Lowe's knocked on the door, so Lyon got hosed. The citizens of Escondido, from the Council to the renter or home owner should all be grateful he's picking up the pieces and he'll parlay them into a feather in the City's cap and his own. Escondidan's will be proud to have his investment in our town.
Dennis wrote on Nov 1, 2008 12:16 AM:Well they could build anything there they want, but I wonder if the city would move the rent-a-fences to just behind the signal poles so I could use the Ped's botton's on them???? So I could cross the street with the WALK/Don'tWalk sign's ?????? Thank you !!
Cotton Ballz wrote on Nov 1, 2008 12:45 AM:How many units have sold on Center City and Second St.?
How many units have sold at Midway and Grand Ave.?
What about the business at street level and condo above it on So Escondido Blvd.?...ugly dump too.
Gallo isnt supposed to be doing real estate business...check his license.
Ca Real Estate Board license check.
Familys living in the area of Escondido Blvd & Washington Ave.
where gangs,hookers,pimps,drug dealers,drug users and drunks hang out . Yeah....this Council really cares about kids.NOT !
Let's see Gallo & Abed put their kids/grandkids in a unit there.
It's all about a buck....greed.
Why is the Council always mixing residential with business areas?
This isnt New Jersey..you want Jersey move there!
This gets more sickening everyday.
Goodbye Abed Gallo NOV 4th
gagabedgallo
goolge it!
Ruben wrote on Nov 1, 2008 2:29 AM:Stop building, we have a water shortage this city council is nothing more then about money. Homes don't belong there it's an eyesore. Get rid of it and plant drought resistant grass and put a statue of Sam Abed and Ed Gallo and Marie Waldron so kids can play on and dogs can take a leak!
Joe wrote on Nov 1, 2008 6:26 AM:What we need to do is to get the illegals out of the schools we already have, then take a look at the situation!
And to you Louise, I doubt you'd understand if they pencilled it out for you!
No More Rentals wrote on Nov 1, 2008 7:41 AM:We certainly do not need more rental units in town and I hope whatever is built will have a more appealing look to it. People need to stop blaming the council for things that are not within their control. Olga will stop the checkpoints and make this town a more dangerous place to drive.
Jaque wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:38 AM:They should build a bowling alley there, for good old fashion family/adolescent fun. Oh wait, they bulldozed that down!
condos or nothing wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:52 AM:Abundant parking, secure attractive grounds, usable common areas, patios or decks for each unit, dedicated on-site space for a K-8 charter school.
Submarine Man wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:23 AM:I love Sam and Ed
92 units is not middle ground wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:35 AM:61 units is.
Do the math.
Great, just what we need.
More of everything everyone talks about, yet politicians don't care to do anything about--- on all fronts of many issues that, were I to mention them by name, the censor more than likely would not post this comment.
Way to go, "leaders"!!!!
To Gift Horse wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:57 AM:Chortle! Chortle! Chortle!
The Council is a bunch of hosers.....rofl
nothing will work until this council is
R E M O V E D F R O M O F F I C E
Then it will be a beautiful day in the nieghborhood .....
Plan B wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:03 AM:What will all the GAG and Chamber of Citizens types do if the likely scenario occurs -- Abed and Gallo are re-elected by strong margins? For that matter, what do you suppose will happen to the firefighters whose union went negative against Gallo if he is re-elected? Politics is a blood sport in which the losing side takes far more blows than just losing a race. I don't know Gallo personally, but he's been the target of a union power play and that has to have some impact on him. Normally, all parties would let bygones be bygones, but this hasn't been much of a civil campaign, beyond the candidates themselves who have been on good behavior. It's been the mean-spirited gadflies and unions that have dirtied up the political landscape. Good luck, GAG gadflies and union operatives! Chances are you're going to need it.
Cotton Ballz wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:03 AM:holy MMMMMMMOOOoooooo cow!
have you seen the ad in today's NCTimes?
Look at the waste at City Hall.....
section A page 11
I knew I was not the only one that smelled rotten apples at City Hall!
ROCK ON LENHARD !
Get the FACTS wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:09 AM:NCTimes Nov 1 section A page 11
Lily wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:42 AM:Today's paper helped me make my decision. This article and the ad about the wasted millions on page 11 section A...thank you for the information.
GO OLGA & Barron
good times wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:44 AM:I don't understand peoples opposition to rentals. The current city council tried to push so many condo conversions down our throats that many of those had to become rentals. Escondido has a serious lack of apartment rentals that aren't dumps. I cuurently rent a conversion and half the places in my complex have been forclosed. So much for Abed and Gallo's attempt to make homeowners out of us. Not all of us wish to buy a home or simply can't afford to. Build a nice apartment complex at the Paramount property and I'd gladly rent there.
Citizens of chamber wrote on Nov 1, 2008 1:31 PM:We at the Citizens of Chamber (all four of us) want to build a new headquarters for our meetings. Perhaps this will be a good spot to hold our meetings where we will worship the liberal ideology and open border policies of Bill Flores and her sidekick Olga Diaz. Stay classy.
grj wrote on Nov 1, 2008 4:49 PM:to the poster who bashed me about illegals enforcement, what don't you understand about the word illegal?(LOL)
St. Paulie Girl wrote on Nov 1, 2008 5:03 PM:Can't wait for Tuesday, Diaz and Barron all the way!
Re This isnt New Jersey..you want Jersey move there wrote on Nov 1, 2008 6:47 PM:And all this time I thought we were part of Tijuana.
jerrylen wrote on Nov 1, 2008 8:37 PM:Olga has come out supporting traffic stops & against sanctuary cities, but the "hate mongers/racists, continue; ala loser McCain. If there's a god, Tuesday nite will see Gallo/Abed disappear & the financial rebuilding of Escondido WILL begin. Olga/Barron are so overpowering in their ACCOMPLISHMENTS, that there isn't ONE person on the council or ONE candidate that can even come close.
jerrylen wrote on Nov 1, 2008 8:49 PM:So now a NEW developer has come to the rescue & wants to build MORE APARTMENTS? Sure, and so when 3 families move in each, with NO AMENITIES, we'll have what; children of ALL AGES playing in Escondido Bl & Washington. Great, the teenagers can hang around the corner & keep the police busy with drug deals etc. Great thinking by our "brainless" council (to a man/woman). That's as bright as DONATING $20,000,000 of OUR money to a "HOTEL IN NOWHERE" while we're $9.8 million dollars in the red. Let's eliminate 40% of our problems Nov 4 & the other 60% in 2010; unless you like facing bankruptcy, forever filthy streets full of potholes, paying millions in wages, benefits, free gas, stipends etc. to the council/staff, courtesy of the council. Do you give yourself a raise when your spending exceeds your salary? If so, re-elect these pirates & go down the river with them.
escondeeter wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:02 PM:To Plan B. I doubt there'll be any retribution coming from Gallo's quarter. He's only one vote, and he'll follow his usual policy of ignoring the special interests and voting for what he believes is in the best interest of the community as a whole.
Where I believe the union's activities will hurt them is in the damage it's done to their credibility, a characteristic that'll be sorely needed if the upcoming revenue reductions have an impact on the fire department. By conducting a whole-hog campaign over a minor adjustment that had no lay-offs, and by engaging in a campaign of misrepresentation and exaggeration, they've severely hampered their ability to conduct a fight against over any real issues. The public, having discovered they were over-reacting this time, is likely to discount a future campaign that might really matter. I suspect they'll look back on their decisions of the last few months as one of the biggest tactical mistakes in the history of their organization.
Saw It wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:28 PM:Wow - couldn't believe page 11 in the front section of the page today. I found it astonishing that the city has wasted that much money on developments and I didn't know that the sewer fines were so much. This is most definately a waste of public funds. I will have to reconsider one of my votes. The data did not reveal fiscal conservatism - but, fiscal waste.
Jen wrote on Nov 1, 2008 9:34 PM:To Plan B,
Why would the firefighters put out anti firefighters union signs? That's stupid. I think Ed Gallo put out those signs. It's bad to be against firefighters. They save houses and people.
To good times wrote on Nov 1, 2008 10:19 PM:Unfortunately, our council's grand vision for increasing the median income was to: "increase homeownership".
I don't think they ever really considered if people could afford to buy houses/condos - but, they thought their vision was ingenious.
Now...the excessive number of condos as you have confirmed, are all collecting dust...and our city has another couple hundred more to look forward (sarcasm) to.
The problem is: Our Council (specifically the incumbents) are NOT here to SERVE today's residents - but they are here to serve tomorrow's residents (the more desirable).
Do something you can feel good about and:
VOTE THE INCUMBENTS (GALLO & ABED) OUT!!!
ROFL wrote on Nov 1, 2008 11:52 PM:Gallo make a homeowner out of you...he cant make one out of himself!
Thumbs Down wrote on Nov 2, 2008 12:02 AM:The piece of trash I got today in the mail from the Escondido Police Officers
did it for me!
My family & friends were upset that OUR Police Force has taken this step.
Everyone is tightenng their belts.If we can do it so can the Police & the City!
We don't care if you live here or not we all have to help.
We will vote for Olga Diaz & Richard Barron.
Resident wrote on Nov 2, 2008 1:18 AM:Hip Hip Hooray! Hip Hip Hooray!! Hip Hip Hooray!!!
By the looks of these blogs...the incumbents and their reduced numbers of supporters are WORRIED!!!
Hip Hip Hooray!!!
The supporters have to tell stories and make things up and try to bash groups and idividuals because...THEY ARE WORRIED!!!
Hip Hip Hooray!!!
Get out and vote on Tuesday!!!
First Vote for Diaz and Barron
and as an afterthought bid Abed & Gallo good riddance!
Hip Hip Hooray!!!
Three cheers for future thoughtful, productive and effecient governance by true leaders - Olga Diaz & Richard Barron!!!
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