Former Shell Station at Diamond Boulevard and Palomino Drive Ready for Sale

The Shell gas station at Diamond Bar Boulevard and Palomino Drive has undergone a transformation and city officials say the property is now ready for sale.

Improvements to the property's facade, hardscape, landscape, and drainage system have been made clearing the way for a court-appointed receiver to locate a buyer, Diamond Bar officials wrote in the city's monthly newsletter.

Getting the property ready for sale is part of a two-year effort by the city to get the once-blighted site revamped.

In February, a judge allowed the appointment of a receiver, whose role is to help move the project forward.

After the project stalled and the building started to fall into disrepair, the Diamond City Council voted in July 2012 to go forward with a civil lawsuit in order to get it moving.

Plans included turning the building into a mini-market and car wash, but financial and construction issues plagued the project.

Matt Arassi, part-owner of the gas station, said in April 2011 that he expected the renovation to be completed that summer, citing the "headache" of permits and contracting troubles as the reason for the delay.

"A gas station is nothing to cut corners on," Arassi said.

With the gas station sitting at a visible corner along one of the city's main thoroughfares, residents have complained about the blighted property.

The city approved the remodel of the gas station close to six years ago, City Manager James DeStefano said in May. The project started and stopped several times during a four-year period.  The remaining time has been spent trying to seek relief from the courts, DeStefano said.

"That led to the city basicallly begging for receiver from the courts," he said. "We finally have a court receiver, but again we are working with a judge. We are woking at the mercy of others to get this resolved."