11-30-81 Committee of the Whole - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Mr . McGann: I would maybe preface this by referrng to the letter I sent to Mr. Nimtz last Monday, asking that this meeting be held as to what we have received in progress reports concerning the Odd Fellows Building, and were now receiving conflicting information that there were people who were willing to finance the building and did have financial resources, etc. , and that I thought before any final word was made on the building, or that the building was finally demolished, leave room for Monday morning criticism that we should meet formally to clear the air tocome to some sort of resolution maybe in a difference of opinion on what took place. I would like to mention in addition to to Mr. Brademas and Mr. Raker I did receive a letter last Friday from Mr. Bruce Bancroft and since he is representing another potential developer , Marvin J. Reed, still expressing some interest in developing the Odd Fellows Building. Mr. Voorde: If there were any viable rehab proposals that were rejected, I guess we would ask the indulgence of Mr. McMahon and Mr. Nimtz to explain why perhaps or how did we get to where we are and basically to clear the air. Mr. Butler suggested that the developers state verbally that they waiver their rights. At this time, Mr. Brademas made a statement and Mr. Raker followed. Mr . Voorde: I think it might be appropriate to ask Mr. Brademas first to tell us why he had prompted the meeting. Mr. Brademas: Mr. Chairman, and members of the Council , I have just been handed by a friend of mine a letter dated November 20 , 1981 by I assume Mr. Kevin Horton, indicating an evaluation criteria for the Odd Fellows proposal. In terms of proposed reuse we think we have a feeling of what the uses of market are. I hold a Masters Degree in City planning, have done city planning for quite a number of years, and quite successfully. As a result, when I come into a community, especially my own home community I think I have a good feel for it. My assessment of the market potential and uses for that building were fully supported by the American Cities Corporation (Rouse Report) . In terms of the reuse we proposed essentially that the bottom of the basement of the building would be used by the Hacienda restaurant and at one time there was a restaurant there by Hacienda. They gave us a commitment to build a restaurant in the building. The Rouse report suggested the need for that kind of use in the downtown area. We had the Bookworld as some tenants in which they wanted half of the building and the Hacienda would have the other half. The ninth and tenth floors (the Hacienda) agreed to take it over and make it into a fine restaurant type lounge. Restoration is our business, and we know what it takes in the way of equipment and in fixturiz-ing it, etc. We went out and did our own survey and got very scientific results. What we did was to send letters to the types of peole who we felt would have an affinity for the location and I asked them about office building , and went on to indicate to them what we proposed to do and for them to indicate their interest. We got an indication written, and when people write back to you that usually indicates that they are more than casually interested. Is there any question in the minds of the council and the committee that we did not do our homework in terms of proposed reuse and have a viable plan for the plans in terms of reuse for the building, and if there is I would like for you to tell me. Mr. McGann: The uses you have mentioned, now what percentage of the commitments and total square footage do you have?