http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2009/06/02/site-four-goes-back-to-square-one/ The Latest in Retail, Entertainment, and Development in Raleigh Mon, 14 Sep 2015 21:31:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.3.1

http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2009/06/02/site-four-goes-back-to-square-one/comment-page-1/#comment-18437 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:24:17 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2009/06/02/site-four-goes-back-to-square-one/#comment-18437 Good, let’s get a real developer for that site (what a waste of time, do not want to hear about financing)

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http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2009/06/02/site-four-goes-back-to-square-one/comment-page-1/#comment-18430 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 17:30:06 +0000 http://www.gogoraleigh.com/2009/06/02/site-four-goes-back-to-square-one/#comment-18430 I think you said it well in the last two paragraphs, but I will share my reaction to the latest update, regardless.

1) The original (22-story) design of Lafayette was, in many ways, an ideal proposition. Tall enough to hide the Marriott Hotel monstrosity, while make good use of the available parcel.

2) The latest incarnation left many of us – I am sure the developer, too – with a bitter feeling. Scaling down never does good for the psychology of the people involved.

3) Empire Properties had a great vision, and I am unhappy for them. If they return after the new RFP is released, I hope that they think even bigger and taller than 22 floors. For now, they will do better if they focus on the L Building, which needs to be completed, ASAP.

4) Having to cancel Lafayette will certainly hurt our efforts to revitalize Fayetteville Street and create a vibrant South End. While this will merely delay us, I think that the city leaders need to take a good look at what they want to accomplish and put things in place before they take the next big step. We needed hotel space before the new convention center was built, not after.

5) On a positive note, the cancellation of Lafayette may help other projects, like The Edison and Powerhouse Plaza, both of which contain hotel components. Even Winston Tower may benefit, unless this chain decides to participate on the new RFP, this time not as late-comers, like they did with the new convention hotel.

Let’s see if developers recognize the massive potential of Sites 2, 3 and 4, and bring forth some impressive ideas. We have three great opportunities for some inspiring towers, the way I look at it 😉

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