Officials hope project could expand downtown Covina's reach

By Daniel Tedford, Staff Writer
The San Gabriel Valley Tribune
Posted: 03/23/2010 06:11:12 PM PDT

COVINA - A downtown project that has toiled in purgatory for nearly a decade may finally come to fruition, officials said this week.

A developer is interested in reviving a proposal to build townhomes and shops along Citrus Avenue between School and Italia streets.

If completed, the development would bring more people to Covina's downtown area while sprucing up a not-so-attractive part of the city, Mayor Peggy Delach said.

"For me, personally, just getting rid of that eyesore vacant lot ... it is hugely important for the community," Delach said. "We will finally give that flow to downtown that it needs to really bring it all together."

The development would include 6,000-to-8,000 square feet of retail and nearly 50 townhomes, officials said.

Right now, the land is taken up by shops and a vacant lot, all of which are owned by the city.

The Olson Co., which recently finished construction on the nearby Vintage Walk townhomes, wants to take on the development.

All the homes in the Vintage Walk development have sold, according to Olson's Web site.

"They are pros," City Manager Daryl Parrish said of Olson. "They are convinced there is a strong market and they will be able to sell these things."

Negotiations with Olson are not finished and estimated cost has not be nailed down, Parrish said.

Olson did not return calls for comment.

The land for the proposal was originally slated for the Centennial Project, which was under a different developer and was to coincide with the Covina's 2001 centennial anniversary.

Financing issues and the down economy stalled and eventually derailed the first effort.

But now is a good time to build, Parrish said.

If approved, the Olson project could be completed as the economy was picking up steam, he said.

"Recessions are always cyclical and you kind of have to be planning things and doing things because if you are not, when it turns around you are going to be left behind," Parrish said.

Business owners in the project area would have to be move, and some aren't happy.

"I'm going to end up moving down to Second Street and going out of business in a year," Kaos Records owner Ray Devries said. "They are going to put new buildings up and suddenly all these rich people are going to come in and go shopping?"

Pat Fore, owner of the Candy Connection, would be one of the business owners displaced if the project is approved.

She has been in business in Covina for nearly 30 years, including 10 years at her current spot in downtown Covina. The city owns her building and if they choose to move her, she hopes it would be to a prime spot.

"I'm not looking forward to moving. I want to stay downtown," Fore said. "I am looking forward to (possibly) being further down the street where it is busier."

Delach said the project is still under discussion and needs to be reviewed before any decisions are made.

But she likes the idea.

"I think the mixed-use is nice because it brings people living to downtown Covina, it brings more people to take advantage of the businesses down there," Delach said. "We are hoping it is a nice signature piece."

daniel.tedford@sgvn.com

(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2730