Developers Ready to Start 2 Stanton Projects

Developers of two long-awaited construction projects say they are now poised to break ground.

With fresh financial backing, Park Stanton Place, a 335-unit housing project for senior citizens approved in 1989, can be started within four months, Edward Czucker, vice president of the Jan Development Co., told the City Council last week.

And within six months, Smith’s Food & Drug Centers will begin construction of a shopping area next to the Smith’s store at the corner of Katella Avenue and Beach Boulevard, according to project manager Terry E. Halbur.

The council had unanimously voted to grant both developers extensions for their projects.

Construction at Park Stanton Place had been scheduled to begin Jan. 30. Smith’s had agreed to start building its shopping area by Feb. 13, according to city officials.

Czucker told the council that his company had a hard time getting banks to guarantee bonds for the $17.75-million project because of the listless economy.

Recently, he said, his company found buyers for two-thirds of the bonds.

“We’ve made substantial progress. We will be able to get financing,” Czucker told the council.

Councilman Sal Sapien said both his mother and mother-in-law are waiting for places in the project.

“I hope this is the last time we have to deal with this,” he told Czucker. “I want to see that groundbreaking.”

Halbur told the council that Smith’s may hire another developer to build the 22,000-square-foot center because Smith’s has little experience developing shopping centers.

“We want to get a building that is going to stay there long term,” Halbur said.