Legal Fight Leaves Solar Center Redevelopment in Limbo

Solon officials envision redevelopment of the Solar Center as a key to improving the city's commercial core, a key piece of the city's master development plan.

But with the partners involved in the project now engaged in a lawsuit with each other, city officials are in reaction mode to make sure the site at the corner of SOM Center and Aurora roads is redeveloped along the city's vision.

Last week, after learning about the lawsuit, city council imposed a nine-month development moratorium on the site. No variances, site plans or any other action will be taken on the site unless the development matches the vision laid out in the 2009 development agreement between the partners and the city, which include a rebuilt with a Get-Go gas station.

City Council also gave Law Director Thomas Lobe permission to intervene in the lawsuit on the city's behalf.

"We will make sure that this site is developed pursuant to our master plan," said Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Councilman Edward Kraus said. "That calls for a specific project for this specific site."

City officials were surpised when they learned about the lawsuit. Lobe said that none of the partners involved in the suit notified the city.

The lawsuit was filed June 22 and involves the Sheldon Perlick Family Partnership's attempt to dissolve Solar Center Ltd., Percap Realty Ltd. and Caplan-Perlick Ltd.

Those are three of the four companies involved in the development agreement.

The project has been in limbo since November 2009, when Solon voters created a new zoning district to accommodate the redevelopment.

The long-awaited plan is to completely redo the Solar Center, located at the corner of SOM Center and Aurora roads. The centerpiece of the project will be a much larger and modern Giant Eagle store and an accompanying Get-Go gas station.

But the shopping center owners and Giant Eagle have not been able to come up with an agreement after years of negotiations. 

Last month, the Solon City Council granted a third extension to the development agreement between the city and the development partners, comprised of Solar Center Ltd., Percap Realty Ltd., SOM-Solon Ltd. and Caplan-Perlick Ltd.

The agreement was extended until September, and would have expired in March without council action.

After that extension, that progress was being made, but this latest development has dashed those prospects, at least for the time being.