I don't get the wounded feelings over the downtown hotel project expressed by Allen Johnson here and, again, in this morning's print paper.
Sure, some people hated the idea because this is Greensboro and they hate everything, and others mistook the bond strategy for public funding.
But the heart of the matter has always been that the owners of a big event space need a hotel to make their property work, and there was no serious indication that GSO could come close to supporting a big new hotel, and so the property owners couldn't raise the money even with a huge recovery-bond assist.
I'd love to see a successful new downtown hotel, and I have no problem with the local daily applauding bold ventures.
But I can do simple arithmetic, and this project has never come close to adding up. Numbers ain't "snide comments," and the big paper should know the difference.
"But I can do simple arithmetic, and this project has never come close to adding up. Numbers ain't "snide comments," and the big paper should know the difference."
But alas, Ed, the numbers do add up when the local daily exists only as a mouthpiece for the status quo. That is, the numbers add up on the N&R balance sheet, not the Hotel.
And like I've said many times before: why does our local mouthpiece not discuss water and sewer for the downtown hotel?
Posted by: Billy Jones | Aug 29, 2011 at 08:22 AM
If the group wants to build the hotel, let them do so. Its not with public money. I can understand why many are skeptical considering the uncertainty of the economy. I read where the group is confident construction will start within two years and that they will be building the 10-story hotel on top of a 180 space parking deck.
Posted by: Ron | Aug 29, 2011 at 12:36 PM
I think you have to look at the business side of things in regards to the Elm Street Center. Having a hotel there will increase the number of events at the Empire Room. I'm sure the number of events there have dropped and a big reason many convention/conference planners do hold events there is because there is no adjoining hotel. They need this hotel to protect their investment so you can't blame them.
Posted by: Ron | Aug 29, 2011 at 12:50 PM
I believe the news and record may have been hoping to profit on the parking lot across the street.
Posted by: ab | Aug 29, 2011 at 05:24 PM
No denial?
Posted by: Abner Doon | Aug 29, 2011 at 10:08 PM
Ron 12:50PM: yes, that's what I mean by "the owners of a big event space need a hotel to make their property work."
Posted by: Ed Cone | Aug 30, 2011 at 08:14 AM