This was stunning news because, until this week, the 34,000-square foot parcel had been publicly uncontestedly regarded as part of Phase II of the South Sepulveda rebuild. With Mr. Nissani having defeated the current South Sepulveda developer Bob Champion in bidding for the key parcel, this change-of-ownership looms as a problem for the rebuild as currently designed.
- Mr. Nissani said year-long negotiations were completed six weeks ago.
- “I am a very big fan of Bob Champion,” said Mr. Nissani, “and of his idea for South Sepulveda.”
- Having earlier acquired the Firestone Tires property on the northwest corner, Mr. Nissani said he intends to open a second car dealership on the adjacent sites “as soon as possible,” meaning within a year. This expansion is part of a larger master plan.
- Meanwhile back at City Hall, Project Manager Joe Susca said of the Nissani deal, “This does not change anything. It does not matter who owns the property. The property still is within the (South Sepulveda) project. It takes a vote by the Redevelopment Agency to remove it. Bob Champion has not submitted a proposal to have that parcel removed from Phase II.”
- Redevelopment Agency Chair Scott Malsin said he called an Agency meeting tonight so that the five members could attend the Citizens Advisory meeting without violating the Brown Act.
He said that the power of eminent domain “remains a tool” for the city to potentially obtain the newest Nissani property.
Despite Mr. Susca’s insistence to the contrary, members of the business community were skeptical this week that City Hall would risk offending or confronting someone of Mr. Nissani’s stature in an effort to wrest the Jefferson parcel from him.
Mr. Nissani told the newspaper that his Pontiac GMC Buick auto dealership at Slauson and Hannunm brings in $100 million a year in sales taxes to the city.
Decision in Early August?
Since Mr. Nissani’s deal became public on Monday, numerous scenarios have been advanced as to its long-term and short-term impacts for South Sepulveda.
Pending the outcome of tonight’s open-to-the-public Citizens Advisory meeting, and possibly one additional meeting, Mr. Susca said he hopes to place the project on the agenda before the Redevelopment Agency early in August.
What About Committee?
One of the curious questions to be kicked around this summer is how much weight City Hall will give to the recommendation to be reached by the nine-person Citizens Advisory Committee.
If the Committee surprises and includes a partially negative recommendation, how will this be received at City Hall?
One Year at a Time
If the four-part project proceeds on schedule, construction of Phase I, the northwest corner of Jefferson and Sepulveda, would begin in ’09.
Phase II in ’10.
Phase III in ’11.
Phase IV, the northernmost portion, from Berryman to Sawtelle on the west side of South Sepulveda, in ’12.
In an effort to avoid presenting the Redevelopment Agency with a daunting all-or-nothing proposition, Mr. Susca said he intends to ask the Agency to separately vote on each phase, which could lead to a creative outcome.
