News-Record.com

Jeez, I hope something comes out of this. Otherwise, this will be the most ink spilled over a non-event since the Asian bird flu or Y2K.

If they build near the N&R building, I hope they use the same Soviet architect that you guys did.

Well im having a hard time figuring this out...is a local developer behind this or a Florida developer? I keep hearing two different things. On one hand we have a local devloper who has an idea for downtown that wants to use outside development companies to make it happen and on the other hand there is a Florida development company scouting sites in various cities across the south east for a major development. Ive heard some people online say this is just project is just a pipe dream and if it happens, it will be scaled all the way back. I'm extrmely curious to finding out what this development is and why it calls for a 500 room high-rise luxury hotel. I thought hotels were doing poorly downtown but apparently there are some attractions in this development that makes it feasible for such a hotel. Then there are potential plans for a second luxury hotel downtown that would be a part of this "mega project". Will this project include a number of highrise towers or a big surprise super tower? :) I just hope this happens because it would be a real let down for the community if this doesnt happen after all the fanfare announcements in the media.

The two sites I like best for this project are the former Bellemeade Village site and the site near the Depot.

In the end, it'll just be a new Rockola and a Hotel 6. Don't you people ever learn? {;-)

or maybe a Planet Hollywood, House of Blues, Hard Rock Cafe, Cheesecake Factory, Medieval Times and a revived NASCAR Cafe'

Tim, those are just guesses. Please don't clutter this blog with guesses. This blog is reserved for speculations, rumors, and rumored speculations.

I'm speculating that it's going to be the world's largest tattoo mall--one that will bring under one roof all of Greensboro's hitherto dispersed tattoo artists. And a Bennigan's.

Ye of little faith ...

well Ray Gibbs says this local developer has never done a project downtown. Im going to take a guess of who the developer is

what about Kotis Properties? they are familiar with doing retail, commercial, residential and hotel properties and have operations in all the states said to be competing for the development.

Anybody else have any guesses?

also Quaintance-Weaver could be involved although I dont think they are the local group spearheading this.

Whatever it is, I hope there are turrets. Lots and lots of turrets.

you think its going to be a castle Roch101?

Tim:
I think he's poking fun at my pet peeve on the design of these new, village-style shopping centers such as The Shops at Friendly Center and the Village at North Elm (See my post on Four Seasons Town Centre.

Tim:
I think he's poking fun at my pet peeve on the design of these new, village-style shopping centers such as The Shops at Friendly Center and the Village at North Elm (See my post on Four Seasons Town Centre).

Even Allen can't use the software correctly, and he works there! But why, Allen, if you don't like the simulated village shopping centers, do you like the simulated village (with some shopping) at South Side?

word has it that this project can exceed $150 million and international developers are involved. Also the project could include a cluster of highrises/midrises.

word also has it that this MEGA project would include a downtown convention center. The idea is to have convention goers through the week and on weekends families would come to the entertainment venues. The convention center could explain why so many hotel rooms are being considered for this project. It has been said that some expect families to come as far away as Fayetteville and even Greenville, SC which indicates this is a VERY HUGE deal for Greensboro.

In this weeks business journal Ray Gibbs says if and when the project is announces "peoples jaws are going to drop" its suppose to be an all in one tourist/convention destination for the SOUTH EAST REGION!!

A set of IMAX and other theaters? Lots o' fun for the family? Disneyesque animatronics, with talking bears? Sorry if I sound cynical. Not bitter, as I haven't been much interested in downtown for years, depsite living on the edge of it. I do love the library and occasionally drop in the cultural center.

I, for one, though, will sit this "big one" out. It may bring heinies to town, but it may be better to stay sequestered in the suburbs. Avoid the kitsch and traffic. I sincerely doubt whatever it is will enhance Greensboro's image towards "more truly worthwhile pursuits" (imagine a world-class museum of some sort...not ACC nor NASCAR-related...not even golf related; or concert halls and opera house; or anything BUT convention centers).

Richard Florida, the creative class guru they paid years ago to advise Downtown on what sorts of people to attract and what kinds of things attract them, specifically condemned the old and dreary disease of plunking cavernous convention centers in the center of town. Of course, now that the artists, musicians and theatrical types have made downtown GSO cool, the vultures are swooping in to throw 'em out (Two Art Chicks will be gone pronto, I am told, to make room for...eureka...an upscale restaurant!). The same story of deadly gentrification and stratospheric rent and menu prices, etc. has been played out nationwide...maybe worldwide, for years.

So, bring it on! Greensboro ought just as well jump straight into the maw of corporate bland and massive. A tourist trap and traffic nightmare. Architectural gaud. Mammon of the springs eternal. As Duchamp said of America, it's greatest contributions to world culture are cartoons and indoor plumbing. (With Central Park, we've got outdoor plumbing!)