More from City Hall: Starkweather walks away

6:56 p.m.:

Mayor Ann Johnston is questioning the record of developer T.W. Starkweather’s Stockton Downtown Preserve LLC. The Revitalization Department is recommending extending for one year an exclusive negotiating rights agreement for the development of Block 5.

Starkweather said litigation tied up Block 5 for years and that it has no debt on the property.

“This is a very disappointing comment that you’ve made,” Starkweather said.

Starkweather said he has invested $4.5 million and seven years waiting for circumstances to be resolved.

He said City Hall has made “endless” commitments to him that have not been kept.

Starkweather said, “The comments that you made are shocking, and I’m very disappointed.”

Councilwoman Leslie Baranco Martin said, “Mr. Starkweather, don’t go away.” She said, “I have been around during the negotiations for the property that was on the marina that never was developed.” (Starkweather had property on the waterfront and once had great plans for it).

Starkweather said, “I was asked by Mayor Podesto to put my project on hold.” He said he had funding for a hotel.

Martin said, “My understanding was that you were not able to financially afford any project.”

Starkweather said during that time he was able to develop other projects, particularly in Turlock.

Martin said elected leaders “put a lot of faith” in Starkweather.

Starkweather said, “Since you’re putting in the record statements … ”

Martin said she will finish speaking first. She said, “It’s my concern today … I feel that if we go forward again without more than what has already been done, I’m not sure that doing an exclusive …”

Starkweather said he gave a 26-page presentation to the Redevelopment Commission and spent many thousands of dollars planning the project. He said it is shocking to him that she is not aware of that.

Starkweather said, ‘I withdraw my application. Thank you very much.”

On his way out, he said, “I have nothing to say to you.”