The Sunnyvale Sun

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Town Center's new developer may prove to be local talent

Some companies express interest once Atlanta-based group is out

By JASON GOLDMAN-HALL

Even before the Sunnyvale City Council announced it was going to try to sever ties with Atlanta-based Fourth Quarter Properties, LLC on the downtown redevelopment project, interested developers began gathering in the wings.

Those companies may not have to wait long, now that the city has decided to exercise its right to buy Fourth Quarter's part of the almost 37-acre lot and proceed on the project with someone else.

Other developers have been circling since February 2005, when the city put the redevelopment of the empty Town Center Mall back on the bidding block after delays from Fourth Quarter.

Friends of Sunnyvale President Paul Reed--who owns a landscaping business near the redevelopment site--said he was contacted by local developers regarding the downtown site.

He declined to identify the developer, but said he has referred them to the city.

"I think this is a good direction for the city, working with a local developer," Reed said.

Reed is not the only one looking positively at the city's decision. Sunnyvale communications officer John Pilger said while there have not been formal responses from businesses or developers, he is hearing positive reactions around the city.

"I think everybody was tired of Fourth Quarter dragging its feet, so anything by the council that moves it forward is seen as good," Pilger said.

Reed said even though this decision will almost certainly delay the project further, it should help get a viable project in motion.

Sunnyvale Mayor Ron Swegles said while it is still too early to begin looking for other developers because, at press time, the council had not received a response from Fourth Quarter, other developers have contacted the city. He said city staff has begun compiling a list of interested parties.

"The contacts tell us that there is still a lot of interest in this project," Swegles said.