My god, how much does this guy owe me??
1) Remember his first bet when he bet me Berkeley and UNUM would have deal by the end of 2009?
2) When he lost that one I extended the deadline a month and bet double or nothing. On top of that, I bet him that Hanover was going to take over from Berkeley in February of 2010 before any deal with UNUM.
I could bet on market rate housing be unfair. He would take the bet and I would win way toooo easy!! Lets bet on the parking garage. I have seen alot of movement down there, but I would be willing to still bet that none of the old parking garage will be torn down by the end of the year..
If I lose, we are all even. If you lose again,what do I get.
Same Time Next Year
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It’s been nearly a year since I wrote about the problems that come from
having 11 bosses who are not on the same page about anything, as well as
suggestion...
5 months ago
17 comments:
Bill,
The city portion of the funding for CitySquare for the demolition and infrastructure work has already been triggered. In just a few short months this past spring, Hanover (CitySquare II LLC) bought the former mall from Berkley and signed an official agreement with UNUM to move there Worcester operations to the development. As Jahn has pointed out in the past, although Berkley had a letter of intent from UNUM, they never actually signed the dotted line to trigger the city portion of the funding.
Why would they want to delay demolition past this year? I believe they would like to get started sooner rather than later. As I pointed out in Paulie’s blog, the CitySquare website that has been around since shortly after Berkley announced their plans has suddenly disappeared. I believe it is because an announcement of the demolition is imminent.
As for paying my past bets, I have always said that I will make good on them. We'll get together soon to enjoy those adult beverages together!
The been taken!!!
Don't like my chances on this on. Actually agree with Dave that the demolition will happen by year's end..
They seem to be doing alot of prep work. Here's hoping Zimage finally wins a bet.
Bill
Prep work?? I sat therre in traffic on Monday and wondered to myself if any pre demo type work was taking place inside the parking garage structure possibly out of view from teh roadway. I didnt see anything, but that does not mean something isnt happening.
IMO, if any prep work had commenced it would be front and center in the T&G. After all these delays going back to Mr. Hoovers days, I think we can rest assured that when the first work commences the public will be in the loop about it.
Redundancy here, but I am from Missouri. For you 20 somethings, Missouri is the show me state......thus the saying means you have to often (not always)show me something before I will believe it. E.g. show me the spin off that Medical city has generated for downtown or show me DZ's payoff. :) This City Sq "definately" it lends itself to the "show me" category.
Call me a birther. So in the case of CS call me a "Permiter" ...show me the permit. The bet IMO s/b based on when the permit is approved and/or issued. This is a 3rd party document that will show a date definite, so theres no question. I call on you two dudes make a bet based on the issuance date of the permit. I say this b/c I assume pulling the permit involves having to pony up a fair amt of money (.4% of the total bid?) unless of course the permit is on the house?
How about even an announcement that a demo contractor has been been contracted and I mean the compnay that will ultimately convert the place to a pile of crushed aggregate and bent re-inforcing steel. Like a Testa or similar type company.
When I think of it I cant help but think what a waste and I am knot a tree hugger. Approx 41 year old concrete structure pulverized. You'd rarely, if ever, see that kinda mistake made in the private sector. Where are all the touchy, feely "Green" City coucilors esp. JOB and Konnie & Katie on this issue?
David, you have to win this one lest you be dubbed a 3x loser :)
Bill also we need to see a signed letter of intent from David. Intent to pay. Bonding possibly also. I am sure Paulie knows a couple of bonding agents from Winter Hill who specialize in cold cash? :)
I just found a new web site for CitySquare.
http://newcitysquare.com/index.html
3x loser....
Z, the building has to be demolished or at least partially demolished by the end of the year to avoid the dreaded title
Prep work is already happening. They are currently removing absestos from the old building. Demolition on pace for early fall... but i would say mid fall is more likely.
Paul, who is the demo/asbestos contractor(s)
Shouldnt I see all kinds of brightly colored warning signs all around the exterior(s) of the building(s) that are being sanitized?
I don't know. I only read that it's happening right now. Whether or not it actually is... who knows. But i would think the delays are behind us now that Hanover is in and the lease with Unum is signed. I finally for the first time believe we will see some progress down there.
Paul
I agree with you 100% and I will lose my bet to Zimage. My question and the key to City Square is the residential aspect.
Just don't see that happening.
Bill
http://www.wbjournal.com/news47011.html
anyone think this may have an effect on City Square?
As I have said before Bill, I think you're wrong about the residential component not happening. When Fred Eppinger sat with Jordan Levy soon after they took over the project, he mentioned that the mixed use vision Berkley had was the right one for the project.
Think about it, how many times per year do any of us go into downtown Boston or Providence (prior to the Providence Place Mall) to go shopping? What drives a downtown nowadays is a resident population that gives the retail a strong base to grow from. Whoever comes in from the suburbs is gravy and not the population they would need to survive.
As for the Providence Place Mall, has anyone taken a stroll on Weybosset Street lately? This was their former retail hub including the beautiful Arcade (considered on of the first indoor malls in the nation). The Arcade is shuttered except for one store that has an entrance on the street and the former retail hub is littered with empty storefronts. Sound familiar? IMO, Providence will regret the Providence Place Mall in the not too distant future. In fact I heard that the sales per square foot for the Mall are trending down.
David, in all fairness you s/b be the guy to call up Meade St code dept and ask about any permits issued for the demise of the parking garage.
I think you'll need the exact address???
I suppose one could also call city hall and find out what funds have been disbursed to date for demo work? Altho it's stat emoney, I am assuming paymment is via city hall.
Does this work have to be advertised for bid by the city or state or is a private contract between CS II and the contractor(s)
I still say that even if pre demo work had started it wouild be all over the news.....and McMurray would be doing a photo op inhaling asbesto particles and Deval would be bringing up the rear smiling with a hard hat on his head and a Labrador retriever on a short leash named Tim. :)
Hey Wild Will, DZ, Paulie Hombre', and Harry T.... Any of youse geeezers going to Gluy Godis's big shindig at SAC park in Shrewsbury tomorrow for the elderly. 11:00am to 2:00pm. Free burgers and dogs, Bingo, and beverages. No mention if adult beverages? Maybe BYOB from Randells? I heard it's $15 to park but if you tell the 16 yr old attendant you know Gluy, it will be free.
Mayor's Task on Job creation. How many more task forces and bovine fecal matter do we need on this topic. Dare I ask what Joe Obriens private sector work force experience is? JOE... CUT TAXES= CREATE JOBS.
Mr Dept of Peace is front & center in the T&G today re Afganistan. Geeeeeesh. Someone please tell Elmer to get lost in West Yarmouth or Havana. We need a 6 week vacation from you. Thanx.
To all a nice weekend.
Mr Shea, dew youse recall Ware yew red that? Could you post it fore us two sea.
Tank ewe.
I don't recall where I read it about a month ago. I do remember that it was just mentioned briefly in the article.
Paul I googled and found this on teh CS web site listed as the latest news, dateline june 15,2010 part of the last paragraph:
"City Manager Michael V. O'Brien has said he expects demolition of old buildings at the site to begin soon after CitySquare II closed its deal with Berkeley Investments. "
I guess the 64,000$ question is ...define soon??
Maybe they're keeping the lid on the asbestos removal b/c supposedly it's so dangerous...which in reality it really isnt unless your nose is force fed asbestos particles for years. Just keeps lotsa of alarmist bureacrat EPA/DEP types in a job. Not like lead paint. I was force fed window sills when i was 4 yrs old and I am fine
Here is the article I had read... i guess it doesn't say conclusively that the asbestos removal is happening right now...
http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Manager+manages+many+mighty+kudos+from+officials.-a0229046989
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