The Sunnyvale Sun
News
State of City improving, but prospects for a mall still iffy
City officials are close to pulling the plug on the current developer
By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL
A year ago, the Sunnyvale City Council hoped to be discussing the ongoing mall construction as part of the 2006 State of the City address.
But, after a year of work, delays and discussions, the plan is still stalled, the city is looking at how it can demand the work be finished by the developer, and much-anticipated tax revenues are still a long way off.
After sharing the news of a slowly improving economy with the estimated 1,500 Sunnyvale residents attending the July 4 event, Mayor Ron Swegles' speech quickly shifted to the downtown.
"One of the keys to our long-term financial well-being is, of course, the completion of the downtown redevelopment project," Swegles said.
He also revealed the city has formally decided it is unhappy with the recent response from Fourth Quarter Properties--the Atlanta-based group responsible for turning the empty Town Center Mall into a modern lifestyle center like San Jose's Santana Row--and it will take action soon.
"Although not our first choice, the city is prepared to pursue legal remedies to get the project built," he said.
The rest of the lengthy speech was spent thanking and praising Sunnyvale residents, employees and businesses for their efforts to build community, including affordable housing developments, the coming Heritage Park Museum and references to diplomatic visits with the president of Estonia in January.
"Our reputation as the heart of Silicon Valley is also important to our ability to attract new business and it is a reputation that is known worldwide," the mayor said.
While dozens of visitors sat shaded from the sun under a large white canopy to hear the speech, hundreds more wandered around the perimeter of Washington Park, looking at information booths and munching on $4 lunches.
At the end of the speech, councilmembers and Department of Public Safety Chief Don Johnson presented the 2006 Community Awards.
Johnson honored Sunnyvale resident Dharm Gupta for saving a child from drowning in a hot tub.
Longtime resident IrisAnn Nelson was chosen as Sunnyvale's Distinguished Resident of the Year by a selection committee that included former Mayor Pat Castillo. She was honored for her work in the community, much of it involving improving the lives of children and the underprivileged.
Sunnyvale Senior Center volunteer Mary Hidalgo was named Outstanding Community Volunteer and Il Postale owner Joe Antuzzi was named Outstanding Businessperson of the Year.
Mother Earth Clay Art Foundation founder Abby O'Connell was honored for her Outstanding Contributions to the Arts for her work with the foundation.
Fremont High School teacher Jay Rosenberg and his Life Skills students received an Outstanding Environmental Achievement award for their recycling efforts to collect paper, glass and bottles.
Homestead High School graduate Spencer Martinez was named High School Student of the Year for his efforts in school and out, which included building homes for people in Mexico.
