Arizona Republic from Phoenix, Arizona • Page 182

Mall neglected, residents complain HMO mmm ALL MAKES MODELS CD AVAILABLE Up to 12 months same as cash 1 0 year oornpressor warranry (on select models) PA Scottsdale tells Los Arcos owners to clean up weeds By Diana Balazs The Arizona Republic SCOTTSDALE Some residents living near ailing Los Arcos Mall have complained about the shopping center's rapid deterioration un-trimmed palm trees, overgrown or dead bushes and debris and litter FREE ESTIMATES CALL FOR CURRENT PRICING WWW.HACKNEYINC.COM Family Owned Operated HACKNEY REFRIGERATION, INC. 24 Hour Servict Or Ml Makes Models OLD TIME QUALITY WITH MODERN KNOW HOW 7 OJt i. irmrrwi fiimUm, nvr-Tn- Mike RynearsonThe Arizona Republic Landscapers have been called to Los Arcos to trim back weeds and other vegetation, says Bob Kaufman, senior vice president of Ellman Cos. rJ Maryland Crab Cakes Clam Strips Hand Battered Fish Fried Shrimp Steamed Fish West Coast Seafood Casserole These seafood items are available for Friday Dinner only, and are served in addition to your regular buffet favorites. strewn throughout the property.

They say the neglected landscaping only adds fuel to the fire that the mall is part of a blighted area. One resident complained loudly enough that a city code inspector notified mall officials in April that they needed to spruce up the place. The city issued a notice of violation April 5, ordering them to trim the mall's palm trees. Mall officials are complying. The Ellman which owns and oper- ates the mall, has hired a landscaping company to trim the palms, Senior Vice President Bob Kaufman said.

"Frankly, we've already scheduled the work and had it scheduled for 1 some time," Kaufman said. Mark Bristow of south Scottsdale said he examined city code enforce-; ment reports to find out which buildings within the Los Arcos Rede-' velopment District, which includes the mall a't Scottsdale and McDowell roads, had been cited for dilapidation or for public health or safety violations. None had. "I just made an offhand remark (to a code inspector) that the only building in the entire redevelopment area that's dilapidated is Los Arcos, and why are they getting away with it?" Bristow said. He said the next thing he knew, the city had sent the mall a violation notice.

"The thing that matters to me is that the city finally got off their butt and did something," he said. Bristow said the mall's owners have deliberately let Los Arcos run down, something the Ellman Cos. repeatedly have denied doing. "I didn't think they should get off scot-free," Bristow said. A $624 million mall redevelopment, which includes an hockey arena, has been proposed by Ellman Cos.

On May 18, Scottsdale voters approved the creation of a Present this ad and get our All You Can Eat Friday Night Seafood Fest for only Ad must be presented to receive offer. Price listed is valid for all adults in party. Not valid with other offers. Expires 62599. using, Kaufman said.

A resident also complained that Sears had shut off its parking lot lights. Sears has agreed to turn on the lights from 6 to 1 1 p.m.' daily, Jonas said. There also is a Bank One branch on the Los Arcos site that is not owned by Ellman, Jonas said. He said the bank, which remains open, has always maintained its landscaping. "The bank is fine.

They do a really good job with their property," he said. Bob Mayhew, who lives near the mall, said those who support the arena insist that the area is blighted. He blames Ellman for perpetuating that image by letting the mall fall apart. "It's not anyone else letting the area go, but themselves," he said. Kaufman said the mall has not been neglected but acknowledged that a number of things need to be done with a property such as Los Arcos.

"We have lots of palm trees, and they are going to be trimmed," he said. "At last they are doing something and trying to show people, but it's a little after the fact," Mayhew said. "They should have been doing it before the fact." Diana Balazs can be reached at (602) 444-7479 or at diana.balazspni.com via e-mail. to comply. He is scheduled to reinspect the property Monday.

"The first round of trimming occurred along Scottsdale Road, and I think also along McDowell, certainly Scottsdale Road. This time of year, landscapers are very busy, and we've got a lot of palm trees," Kaufman said. If the mall does not comply within seven days, Jonas said, a citation can be issued. A hearing would be scheduled before a Scottsdale City Court judge. Jonas also sent a notice of violation to Sears, which he said owns the vacant Sears building and surrounding parking lot.

Jonas ordered Sears to trim its palm trees and clear the planters of weeds and overgrown vegetation. Jonas said he believes most of the complaints about the mall's deteriorating look stems from the lack of upkeep of the Sears property. Sears closed its Los Arcos store in February and moved it to the former Dillard's space at Scottsdale Fashion Square, Scottsdale and Camelback roads. Ellman is trying to. buy the vacant Los Arcos sears for its redevelopment project.

Jonas was to reinspect the Sears property earlier this week. He said both Sears and the mall have been cooperative and intend to comply with the notices. Sears plans to use the same landscaping company the mall is stadium district. A stadium district board will come up with a financing package for the project, which voters will consider in November. The Sears and Broadway stores are empty, and only a handful of tenants remain in the nearly 30-year-old mall.

"They still own the property whether they got a yes vote or a no vote," Bristow said of Ellman. "They are still liable for upkeep." Larry Jonas, a city code inspector, issued the violation notice, ordering the mall to prune the overgrown palm fronds and gave mall officials until May 6 to complete the work. Jonas received a reply dated April 14 from Judy Roberts, the mall's property manager, requesting an extension to June 4 because the palms would have seed pods coming out in late May. If the trees were trimmed before May, they would have to be trimmed a second time after the pods had formed, doubling the expense. "I felt it was a reasonable request," Jonas said.

Roberts could not be reached for comment. Jonas reinspected the mall property last week. He was told that 28 palm trees had been trimmed but found that not all had been trimmed. On Friday, he wrote a follow-up letter stating that the work had not been completed. He gave the mall, upon receipt of the letter, seven days CKTJNTET Buffet Resta.xira.rtt Buffet Restaurant Visit our three locations in the Phoenix Area! Glendale Country Harvest 5740 West Bell 547-1993 Mesa King's Table Fiesta Mall 1445 W.

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