UPDATE: I guess someone in the SF MSM is working on a story about this, this should be interesting.
If you drive by the downtown parking ramp that is being constructed you will notice that most of that structure is completed (besides the outer façade).
So when will the beams start going up for South Dakota’s largest building?
There has been a lot of chatter in the Downtowner gossip circles that it may not happen.
I’m not sure why? But it could be anything from the ongoing Federal investigation into Legacy and the Copper Lounge collapse to the lack of investors (in which the investigation could be hindering investors).
We haven’t heard a peep from Lamont Companies since they bought a liquor license. It was their last appearance in a public meeting updating us on the progress of the project.
Probably the tallest hotel in the state now is the Alex Johnson in Rapid. Supposedly, a few rooms there are not rented because they’re haunted. Tall buildings are an ego thing. Floors were added during construction for the Empire State Building in NYC so it would be taller than the Chrysler Building. It was finished in 1935 but mostly vacant until 1955. The top floor of the new SF City Admin Building is vacant. It wasn’t justified or necessary because lease space in the 500 Building was cheaper. Soon there will be an Arch of Dreams over the River. Egos had a Saint Louis arch in mind but it better resembles Sadam Hussein crosses swords.
Not sure what the finished product will look like but it is butt ugly now- look at it from the south on First Avenue; also the Levitt shell is horrendous as it is approached from the west; I remember when someone from the Argus (I think Randall Beck) told us how nice it was to drive east on ninth street from Minnesota Avenue when the River ramp was torn down- it had been such an eyesore; the truth is you could not see it until you got close to Phillips Avenue and was not nearly as ugly as either of these new structures
Whatever happen to Boomerang real estate investments, too? Shouldn’t it eventually return?
Perhaps, a petition drive should also be started to save the Sioux Steel pup tents as well. They are a classic example of late 20th century zoning indifference. Because it’s important to preserve some indifference, don’t you think?…. Else, who will care?
Given Barr’s poor performance yesterday, maybe Trump and the Russians pulled out of the deal.
“….And I so wanted to eat in the planned Maria diner there, too.”
Per today’s AL:
However, the city says a start-date for construction on the private portion of the project hasn’t been determined. That’s because the city has yet to receive proof of a performance bond and a $350,000 fee spelled out in the development agreement.
City officials repeatedly did not answer whether the developers are in default of their contract on the project.
The development agreement calls for Village River Group to pay a $1 million fee in three payments to the city. The first payment of $150,000 was made following the approval of the deal, which former Mayor Mike Huether signed on Dec. 5, 2017. A second payment of $350,000 was to be made by the developer before work on the private portion of the project begins.
That payment hasn’t been received, according to the city.
Construction on the hotel and other private elements had been slated to begin this month, according to the lead contractor on the project Journey Construction’s monthly project newsletter.
southdacola, remind us again which City Councilors voted to oppose this questionable public/private project.
Oh, I’m working on a very special post about this, this weekend. I found out this was going to sh*t about a month ago, but had to keep a lid on it because the city was still in limbo about the bond payment.
You know, those two ‘negative’ councilors, Starr and Stehly.
– Double the cost for spaces (to pay for expensive foundation of hotel)
– bad location
– using 2nd penny as collateral (looks like they will need it now)
-not enough spaces
– investing with developer who is being investigated by the feds
This deal has ‘crap’ written all over it. I think the MSM should track down the architects of this deal Ketchum and Bowlcut and ask them what happened.