Declaration of David Tedesco I, David Tedesco, based on my personal knowledge, declare as follows: 1. I am CEO of True North Companies, which controls 668 North, LLC. True North is an Arizona-based equity-investment firm that acquires and manages businesses in various industries. These firms employ thousands of workers in Arizona and throughout North America. 2. In June 2017, 668 North acquired the entirety ofthe largely vacant office/retail building that has come to be known as the Chinese Cultural Center, excluding only the restaurant suite owned by CJ Design. True North intends to redevelop the Center and immediately relocate its corporate headquarters and certain operations to the Center. 3. The Center is approximately 70% vacant. Other than CJ Design, which owns the remaining five contiguous units (comprising a single suite configured as a Szechuan restaurant), the few other occupants were tenants of the previous majority owner. 4. My understanding is that the Center, which was constructed in the late 1990s, struggled financially for some time. Numerous retail businesses failed and/or were propped up by a prior owner of the building. The Center was on the market for over a year before the original owner sold its majority stake, and that purchaser resold to 668 North. 5. After purchasing its units, 668 North submitted a development proposal to the relevant associations under each of the CC&Rs that apply to the Center. To my knowledge, nothing in any recorded document requires that the Center be maintained as a culturally themed site (Chinese or otherwise). Both associations gave their approval-and specifically authorized 668 North to restrict common areas as needed and replace the existing roof tile. 6. 668 North obtained a permit from the City of Phoenix and installed a construction fence. 668 North has also requested a permit for the roof construction, which I am told will be issued promptly. The fence is a safety measure that keeps the public away from areas affected by construction. It blocks off empty units and the garden area. The fence does not impede access to CJ Design's suite. 7. Once 668 North's plans became public, protestors threatened to steal statues and other items from the garden. Subsequently, on September 21, a group of protestors stormed offices at the Center and demanded access to the gardens. The police escorted them away. The protestors had assembled at CJ Design's suite.
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9/22/2017