Black developers refuse to work with De León on $1.6-billion Angels Landing project in Mission Viejo
MIAMI — Developers are refusing to work with the man who just got a major boost in state land-use laws.
Former Mayor Pete De León is building a luxury condo tower for a developer and city officials want to see this project move forward.
But developers say they won’t work with De León because of his support of Proposition 20, which would allow a developer to build a $1.6-billion, 80-story residential and retail tower on the city-owned land where the Orange County Convention Center now stands.
De León has touted the project as bringing in hundreds of jobs and billions of dollars to the region.
In a letter to Mission Beach Mayor Greg Scharff and city officials, developers say De León’s support for the project “is at odds with the best interests of our city.”
Here’s the list of people who have opposed De León’s project.
Gerald R. Harn, owner of Harn Associates.
“Prop. 20 threatens the viability of the proposed hotel development and will lead to further development of the current site,” Harn said in a written response.
A building permit application is pending for Harn’s hotel, which he calls a “mighty fine” and “spectacular” undertaking.
De León’s project will replace two existing buildings with three hotel towers and two buildings with 12,000 square yards of retail between the two hotel towers.
Developer Frank DiSanto’s project will add a parking garage and a hotel tower with a restaurant, spa and fitness center.
De León’s project, as proposed, is much less expensive, said Andrew Nuss, president of New