A&W Builders Cut Ties with Piazza
While once steadfast in support of the Piazza at Temple City, A & W Builders, the construction management firm, has pulled out of the project. The bad news affirms the claim that the Piazza will most likely not be constructed on the corner of Las Tunas Drive and Rosemead Boulevard.
On Wednesday, July 23, 2008, the Temple City Voice learned through a telephone interview that the Piazza no longer has ties with A & W Builders.
“We are no longer involved with that project” said an unidentified receptionist working for A & W Builders.
A request to reach former project manager Louie Aurelio and A & W Builders President David Wilson was made, but neither individual responded.
Randy Wang, the developer and owner of the Piazza project, and the City of Temple City are currently engaged in a lawsuit concerning the future of the Piazza at Temple City.
Councilmembers Ken Gillanders and Fernando Vizcarra attended the first settlement conference on Wednesday, July 26. The settlement conference was mandated by the court to try to resolve the issue without judicial involvement. Both are expected to report to the full City Council in a closed door meeting at a future time.
Originally Mayor Pro Tempore Dave Capra was selected to be the other representative for the City Council; however, Capra was replaced by Councilman Vizcarra on July 10 because of an undisclosed illness.
The Piazza at Temple City, formerly known as the “Piazza Las Tunas” and “Temple City Galleria” once promised 52 one-bedroom condominiums and a complex shopping center at the site of the former Temple City Edwards cinema. The previous City Council voted unanimously to approve the project in May 2006, despite opposition from Temple City residents.
According to the Developer’s Agreement with the city of Temple City, the $75 million project must be completed by August 23, 2009. If it is not finished, the City will have the option to purchase the entire parcel for $5 million.
This article was written by Matthew Wong. It was published in the Temple City Voice on October 29, 2008.
The Temple City Voice 