Judge Appoints Receiver to Help Move Diamond Bar Shell Station Along

Diamond Bar residents can expect to see some progress in the next few months at the Shell station on the city's north side.

City Attorney Jim DeStefano said last week at the Diamond Bar City Council meeting that a couple of months ago, a judge allowed the appointment of a receiver, whose role is to help move the project at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Palomino Drive forward.

The receiver is working with contractors to get bids and develop a cost analysis for the completion of construction or to at least bring the gas station up to city code standards, he said. After that, the property will be sold, he said, adding that the process will take three to six months.

"We are hopeful, with the court's approval and the court's support and pressure being placed on the current property owner, that the matter will be drawing to a conclusion soon," he said, "so that that eyesore will go away and that it will be a productive gas station providing service to the community, revenue on taxes through gasoline, as well as employment for those who might work there."

In July 2012, the Diamond City Council voted to go forward with a civil lawsuit in order to get the project moving. Plans included turning the building into a mini-market and car wash, but financial and construction issues plagued the project.

Matt Arassi, part-owner of the gas station, said in April 2011 that he expected the renovation to be completed that summer, citing the "headache" of permits and contracting troubles as the reason for the delay.

"A gas station is nothing to cut corners on," Arassi said.

With the gas station sitting at a visible corner along one of the city's main thoroughfares, residents have complained about the blighted property.

Councilman Steve Tye asked DeStefano to outline the process and why it has taken so long to get the issue resolved.

DeStefano said once a matter is in the court system, it takes a good amount of time to get hearing.  Once a hearing happens, the judge typically sides with property owners seeking more time, even if the city provides evidence that more than enough leeway has been given, he said.

The city approved the remodel of the gas station close to six years ago, he said. The project started and stopped several times during a four-year period.  The remaining time has been spent trying to seek relief from the courts, DeStefano said.

"That led to the city basicallly begging for receiver from the courts," he said. "We finally have a court receiver, but again we are working with a judge. We are woking at the mercy of others to get this resolved."