Carson : Hotel, Office Plan Advances

Carson’s plans to sponsor a $75-million hotel and office complex near its civic center moved a step forward Monday as the council accepted modifications to a proposed agreement that were suggested by the project’s developers.

The modifications, which leave unchanged the financial arrangements between the city and the developers, give the builders more time to complete the project.

The city’s previous position was that Gestec Properties and the Muller Co. had to complete construction by Dec. 18, 1988--18 months after escrow was to close.

But Christian Frere, president of Gestec Properties, objected to the 18-month deadline. He countered the city proposal, which was made June 8, with a suggestion to extend the escrow deadline one week--from June 18 to June 25--and to postpone the completion date until April 25, 1989. In effect, this would extend the construction deadline four months.

Mayor Pro Tem Vera Robles DeWitt and council members Sylvia Muise and Michael Mitoma voted for the new proposal. Mayor Kay Calas, who owns property near the project area, abstained. Councilman Tom Mills was absent.