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"Judge: El Cortez Builder Can't Force Buyback of Condo" By KELLY BENNETT Voice Staff Writer August 15 , 2008 When the buyers at El Cortez signed stacks of papers to purchase their condos in fall 2004 and 2005, they signed a two-page item called a "repurchase addendum." Buyers say it was marketed to them as a protection -- if they had any qualms with the developer over the construction or design of the project, the developer would purchase their unit back at whatever the current market value would be.
See Voice article at this link: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/08/15/housing/873elcortez081508.txt
"More Trouble at El Cortez" By KELLY BENNETT Voice Staff Writer July. 15 , 2008 In summer 2004, the city of San Diego knew the tax breaks given to a historic building in downtown San Diego had been granted in error and would have to soon be phased out. But what had been a relatively simple contract between the developer and the city was about to get exponentially more complex: At the same time the error was discovered, the building had been split up for sale as 85 residential condos.
See Voice article at this link: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/07/15/news/01elcortez071508.txt
LOCAL PERSPECTIVE: CITY EDITION ____________________________________________________________________________ By Rita Collier Great cities protect their iconic buildings and honor their civic and social history. Our civic leaders aspire to see San Diego achieve a position of prominence among cities but sometimes seem not to grasp the importance of our landmark buildings in achieving that greatness. See article at this link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080517/news_lz1cz17collie.html
At El Cortez, Cracks in Walls, Relationships By KELLY BENNETT Voice Staff Writer January 17, 2008 When Cornelia Eulert bought her 9th-floor condo in El Cortez, the iconic former hotel, the drama therapist and theatre aficionado couldn't resist the landmark's charms, its solid walls and architectural "dignity." She saw her 2005 purchase as a contribution to the beautification of San Diego. But soon, Eulert said, the glimmer faded.
See Voice article at this link: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/01/17/news/01elcortez011708.txt
Trouble at El Cortez Voice of San Diego - San Diego,CA,USA By KELLY BENNETT Voice Staff Writer January 14, 2008 The red neon letters spell EL CORTEZ when they're all working, launching a beacon from the stately white building atop its namesake hill on the edge of downtown San Diego. But when the letters are on the fritz, as they are now, they flash and blink, muddling the sign's message and portending another: all is not right with the landmark. The building is mired in litigation between homeowners and the developers. The homeowners association and individuals in various suits are suing over construction defects, parking agreements, HOA reserves, disclosures on property tax agreements and the building planned for next door. See Voice article at this link: http://voiceofsandiego.org/articles/2008/01/14/news/01elcortez011408.txt
Officials to weigh in on project next to El Cortez By staff writer Jeanette Steele October 15, 2007 Residents object to modern tower - Developer Peter Janopaul cut the design from 18 stories to 12 after the historical board in May said the taller tower would compete with the iconic red El Cortez sign. The 17-story El Cortez is on the National Register of Historic Places and any changes around it must meet federal guidelines. See U-T article at this link: 20071015-9999-1m15elcortezhttp://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071015-9999-1m15elcortez.html
Letters to the editor June 2, 2007 No welcome mat for proposed high rise - Comments from readers concerning the below May26th. article the Board opposes tower near El Cortez. Note: both letters are from Cortez Hill residents not living in the Historic El Cortez! See both letters at this link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20070602/news_lz1e2lets.html
Board opposes tower near El Cortez Union-Tribune, May 26, 2007
The San Diego Historical Resources Board determined that the proposed 18-story tower is not consistent with Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation with respect to the adjacent historically designated El Cortez. See brief report at this link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070526-9999-7m26b5fill.html When you visit this Union-Tribune website, under "Reader Comments", be sure to add what you think about this project. Note that the report states that Save Our Heritage Organisation (SOHO) supports the proposal but doesn’t mention that Peter L.P. Janopaul III is and has been a SOHO Board member for many years! Taking care of our own?
Plans for tower near El Cortez get initial OK By staff writer Jeanette Steele February 15, 2007 Reports results of a CCDC meeting in which the Board directed Janopaul’s development team to move forward with an 18-story modern design and to come back to CCDC with a more detailed version for further discussion. An artist’s rendering of the proposal is included in the article at this link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20070215-9999-1m15elcortez.html
El Cortez Homeowners Suing City Over Condo Plans KPBS-TV news magazine program “Full Focus” January 15 , 2007
“Full Focus” reporter Amita Sharma interviews the El Cortez Owners Association President, an attorney representing the association in this lawsuit, former Councilman Michael Zucchet speaking for developer Peter Janopaul, and the CCDC Project manager for the proposal for additional condos on the historic block. A transcript and video clip of the broadcast is available at this link: http://www.kpbs.org/tv/full_focus;id=6833
Zucchet seeking separate appeals Lawyers say issues not same as Inzunza's By Kelly Thornton December 28, 2006 Another Union Tribune article concerning Peter Janopaul's employee/lobbyist Michael Zucchet http://weblog.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061228/news_7m28zucc
El Cortez condo buyers have filed several lawsuits against Peter Janopaul, Anthony Block and their company, as well as the real estate company who marketed the converted apartments - with some of the buyers also naming CCDC among the defendants. The El Cortez Owners Association also has taken legal action against Janopaul and Block’s company and their rehabilitation contractors. You can read about some of the issues involved in these suits at this link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061126/news_1m26elcortez.html
"Letters To The Editor" concerning the above article" Government to appeal acquittal of Zucchet By staff writer, Kelly Thornton November 27, 2006 Union Tribune article concerning Peter Janopaul's employee/lobbyist Michael Zucchet http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20061127/news_1m27zucchet.html
A wise appeal Feds seek to restore Zucchet's conviction By the Union Tribune Editoral Staff November 28, 2006 http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/op-ed/editorial2/20061128-9999-lz1ed28bottom.html
The beautiful and the bad By Roger M. Showley, November 18, 2006UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITEROnion for historic preservation: Proposed condo tower next to El Cortez Recipient: J. Peter Block Companies Location: 777 Beech St., downtown San Diego Neither Peter Janopaul nor his V. P. of Development, Michael Zucchet, appeared at the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s November 17, 2006 gala event to receive their award of an “Onion for historic preservation” so they missed hearing what was said at the event about the El Cortez proposal:
“This proposed project will rob Cortez Hill residents of their special relationship with their neighborhood icon, the historic El Cortez Hotel. The proposed structure is a high-density, blocky building, with virtually no outdoor space for its residents and it occupies every square inch of lot space. The residents of the hill have become increasingly hemmed in by tall, high-density condominiums. The proposed structure would also obliterate the 1950 swimming pool and palm trees that so greatly enhance the iconic stature of the stately El Cortez building. Soon it will be impossible to see the El Cortez from any vantage point in the city. This important site is no place for another faceless condo tower.” For an overview article (“The beautiful and the bad,” by staff writer Roger M. Showley) on the Orchids and Onions award event, follow this link: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061118-9999-7m18orchids.html
El Cortez residents sue S.D., redevelopment agency Owners seek a halt to project next door By Dani Dodge, October 14, 2006UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERShortly before the El Cortez issue was to be heard at the October 11 CCDC Real Estate meeting, it was pulled from the agenda because CCDC was served earlier that afternoon with a lawsuit filed by the El Cortez Owners Association for "declaratory and injunctive relief." This article can be read at: http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20061014-9999-7m14elcortez.html
Board leans toward modified El Cortez condo plan Residents opposed to new building By Dani Dodge, September 14, 2006 UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Cortez Hill Condo Owners Rebel By Don Bauder - August 24, 2006 On August 24, 2006 the San Diego Reader published "Cortez Hill Condo Owners Rebel" by well-known local business columnist Don Bauder. Mr. Bauder outlines the history of the El Cortez from its rehabilitation by Peter Janopaul and Anthony Block with the aid of CCDC loans - which required the recording of an Agreement Affecting Real Property (AARP) with certain covenants and restrictions to protect the interests of the Redevelopment Agency and the community. The AARP restricts the block to only the physical development that is presently on site until after June 30, 2025. Janopaul is attempting to get the City to amend that agreement to entitle him to building on the terrace to the north of the historic building. Read the details in the complete article at:
Condo plans worry El Cortez residents July 4, 2006
It also must be accessed through the Union-Tribune's archives. http://www.signonsandiego.com/archives/index.htm Plan to build next to El Cortez drawing critics by Martin Stolz, March 18, 2006 UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER An article about the early stages and history of Peter Janopaul's formal Centre City Development Permit Application to build an additional building behind the historic El Cortez. Janopaul previously had CCDC staff and CCDC committees look "informally" at a couple of his prior proposals - without adequate participation from community members. |
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