Friday, Oct. 05, 2007

Developer says he wants to fulfill deal for Patterson campus

The developer who pledged 28 acres for a satellite Modesto Junior College campus in Patterson said Wednesday he is disappointed that district officials decided to walk away from the deal, but he still wants to fulfill his end of the bargain.

"We're not happy about it. I'm extremely disappointed. I don't want to represent something and not be able to do it," Michael Miroyan said. "Once your honor and integrity is lost, it is very difficult to get it back."

Yosemite Community College District officials said Tuesday they will start looking for another site on the West Side. Miroyan had until Sunday to turn over the land's title, but the deadline wasn't met.

Officials said they are willing to continue talking to Miroyan, but they said they were locked into an exclusive agreement with Miroyan that expired Sunday. Now, "It's an open competition," a YCCD spokesman said.

Miroyan said he wasn't able to finalize the parcel map in time.

He said he wants to sell the land and donate the grant deed to the college if they haven't signed an agreement with another landowner. But, he said, "The college has to do what they have to do."

District officials are negotiating with five landowners for a new site.