In a terse, two-sentence email to Scotts Valley City Manager Jenny Haruyama on Monday, the latest proposal to build a Town Center at the old Skypark Airport skidded to a halt.
It was reported in the Press Banner last week that developer Doug Wiele, of Foothill Partners, was balking at the $8.3 million price for Mt. Hermon Road site.
“This is to confirm that my company, Foothill Partners, withdraws from the Scotts Valley Town Center ENA,” Wiele wrote to Haruyama. “I wish the City of Scotts Valley the best with this property.”
Wiele’s company had held exclusive developing rights for the site since last September. Scotts Valley had been negotiating for the developer for to buy an 8-acre parcel owned by the City of Santa Cruz.
“While Foothill’s departure is disappointing, it does present us with an opportunity to focus on the general plan update process to discuss the vision for the community, including the Town Center,” Haruyama said in an email. “I think the changing landscape of retail, coupled with a somewhat dated Town Center Specific Plan, warrants a conversation.”
A specific plan and accompanying environmental impact report for the proposed center was created in 2008. Since that time, the entire retail landscape has changed, especially with shopping malls.
Local developer Corbett Wright is moving forward with The Hangar restaurant project, located on a 1.5 acre parcel on the old Suburban Propane property at 260 Mt. Hermon Road.
“Obviously, we’re disappointed in the loss of a quality developer on the neighboring property, but we believe in our town and in this project,” said Wright on Tuesday.
“Development is not easy and we will need local support to succeed, but we are confident in the resolve of our community and we can’t wait to bring forth our development proposal for the consideration this fall,” he said.
“We are committed to a quality project, which the community, our community will be proud of.”
