By Mike Bodine
Register Staff
3-7-2009

First the Cottonwood Plaza tenants vacated, or were forced to move following litigation, then the property was fenced off, signs removed and several windows boarded, now permits for demolition of the plaza are actively being pursued.  
San Diego businessman Richard Maudsley, former lessee of Cottonwood Plaza, has recently announced that he is preparing a permit from Bishop’s Planning Department for demolition of the twin two-story buildings at the plaza.  
Maudsley said again, as he has in past interviews, that he did not think he was legally obligated to carry out the demolition, as his interest and stake in the property ended with his lease on June 30, 2008. But, he is being requested to do so in accordance with Maudsley’s lease from master lessor Charles Caldwell.  Maudsley said he would rather “move forward” than argue with Caldwell, in the hopes that the site will eventually be put to good use and in the best interest of the city and its citizens.

Plans are moving forward to demolish the two-story buildings at Cottonwood Plaza. Photo by Mike Bodine

Maudsley was in Bishop in January of this year, trying to find an alternative to razing the buildings. Primarily he was looking for possible tenants that would be interested in relocating to the plaza that would make the center economically viable again and demolition unnecessary.
He said Friday that he “has no control of that situation.”