LETTER _ UNIVERSITY AVENUE IMPROVEMENTS PROJECT

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Page I of2 Morton-Ellis, Sherry From: Brian Perrone [brianperrone@deliasgrinders.com] Sent: Tuesday, June 05, 200712:57 PM To: Loveridge, Ron; Schiavone, Frank; Betro, Dom; Melendrez, Andy; Gage, Art; eadkinson@riversideca.gov; Hart, Nancy; Adams, Steve; Morton-Ellis, Sherry Subject: RE: University Avenue... Agreement with Perrone Family Honorable Mayor, City Council Members, and anyone else concerned, My name is Brian Perrone, and I am writing on behalf of my family regarding the University Ave. "Improvements" project. Specifically the median being built in front of our business, D'Elia's Grinders Inc.. Weare located at 2093 University Ave. Until construction began last Thursday (May 31, 2007), we had been led to believe that there was not going to be a median constructed in front of our business. This agreement was made while discussing the property trade between my family and the city. We owned the abandoned house located at 2039 University Ave. and swapped properties for the land adjacent to our current business when the Stardust Motel was demolished. The ONLY reason we decided not to sell the property, was because of the agreement to not have a median constructed or we would have an access lane or "median break" made available to our "new" driveway and expanded parking area which is farther from the Kansas Ave intersection. In fact, after demolition costs, we realized no gain in property value after the land swap. We understood that our existing driveway was too close for any access to be made and were willing to forfeit any profits that we could have used to expand our business or nake improvements to our current location. Once we finsh paving the new parking lot, we will hae lost money overall. We did not bring this issue up sooner because we didn't know it was going to be one. John Perrone, my cousin, attended a meeting at Zacatecas not too long ago where a model was displayed showing the new plans for the avenue. At that time, Mr. Hudson noticed and asked why there was not a median in front of our business included in the model. Joel Belding noted our agreement at that time. Since then, we have heard nothing to make us believe anything had changed. I spoke on behalf of the Spiel's when a similar issue occured regerding a median in front of McDonalds. Only after a city employee called and pointed it out to them, were they able to take action. Unfortunately for us, Bob Wales did not send us a signed letter. After their appeal, I know that you also know the statistics regarding business lost when medians are built. Weare a convenience based business just like McDonalds. (Note: As I am writing this, Joel Belding has called to apologize for what is happening. Kudos to him. He knows this is wrong as well.) One of the most frustrating things about the University Ave project has been the lack of communication about what is happening and what changes are being made. For example, when we rebuilt in 1987, we were required to widen Kansa Ave. This project moves the curb back to its original location. Doesn't make any sense to us, but fine... do as you wish. Not only that, but the sidewalk configuration has been changed leaving a gap between our grass landscaping and the new sidewalk, and a parkway has been added on the street side of the sidewalk, which I am sure we will be required to maintain. It may be insignificant, but considering we will carry the burden of maintaining it: mowing, installing sprinklers, etc., I would think some sort of notice would have been required. Not even a letter was recieved, other than the letter stating that construction would be completed by May, 4 2007. Why weren't we notified of anything? We can only suspect, so we wouldn't see the plans and notice the nice median on University // , 6/512007