Construction starts to reopen historic Pasadena site despite council plans to buy and demolish the building

A DEVELOPER and the Northern Beaches Council are locked in a stalemate over a prime parcel of waterfront land in Church Point that each party has future plans for.

Owners of the Pasadena at Church Point have started constructions works. Picture: Annika Enderborg.

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A DEVELOPER and the Northern Beaches Council are locked in a stalemate over a prime parcel of waterfront land in Church Point that each party has future plans for.

The owner of Pasadena has started construction of a brand new event and function centre in a bid to relaunch the former hotspot on the peninsula’s north.

But it comes despite council plans to compulsorily acquire the site, which were made public in August.

Mark Ferguson, chief executive officer of the Northern Beaches Council says they are in negotiations with the site’s owners. Picture: Adam Yip.

The council planned to bulldoze the site to make way for open space and more parking. Council’s chief executive Mark Ferguson said his staff have been in negotiations with Logic Design and Build to acquire the land.

But a construction approval dating back to the 1960s is being used by the site’s owner, Paul Peterkin as justification for the works, according to the council.

“They have a construction certificate to commence work on an old consent in the 1963 and it appears as though they can commence work but the council is reviewing it at the moment,” council chief executive Mark Ferguson said.

Mr Peterkin says the certificate — which a private certifier signs off on — was “recently finalised”.

The Pasadena at Church Point. Picture: Supplied.

“Work has commenced after we secured the lease over the adjacent site late last year and eight months of careful planning, design and great expense,” he told the Manly Daily.

Pasadena, an 87-year-old site, was a popular wedding venue, motel and function centre but will now be pulled down. It has been vacant since 2009.

“I know the Council recently expressed an interest in purchasing the site, but we are just getting on with it as per our original plans, as there is uncertainty to whether council has the funds to buy us out given the commercial value of the integrated site and whether we would accept their offer in any event,” Mr Peterkin said.

“The past five years of my ownership has seen a building sit vacant and in disrepair due to rejected DA’s and a four-year negotiation process with Crown Lands to secure a 25-year lease over adjacent land needed to make the business viable.”

Pasadena is near the ferry wharf at Church Point. Picture: Adam Yip.

Mr Peterkin said his company was looking forward to the reopening the site.

“We think it is an exciting development that the northern beaches community will be able to enjoy,” he said. “If the Council comes up with a superior offer in the meantime, we will of course consider that.”

The council says it wants to lock in a suitable arrangement with Mr Peterkin and had already begun negotiations.

“We are keen to talk to them and we will engage with them with a view to seeking to acquire the property,” Mr Ferguson said. “We want to negotiate with them and do it to mutual satisfaction.”