A local research group is sinking its claws into the three proposals for the WTC site and digging for dirt. According to the ">NOLA Defender, The Bureau of Governmental Research is examining how the potential developers plan to tackle funding, among other issues. Check out BRG's full report and the heap of questions they have ">here.
The basics:
· Tricentennial Group, a local team of tourism heavy-hitters, are behind the sole demolition proposal, as you may have heard. Governor Bobby Jindal axed a chunk of their funding, but they claim they have other sources and will carry on.
· Speaking of funding, it seems that James H. Burch, LLC and Gatehouse Corp., the two other bidders, were counting on historic tax credits to aide in the redevelopment. Since the former WTC building isn't on any sort of historic register, even though it was just named an endangered site, could their funding plan be a future issue?
· The Burch team is based out of Virginia, but local trumpeter Kermit Ruffins tooted his alliances today. If this luxury hotel renovation proposal goes through, Ruffins will attach his name to an "upscale music venue and supper club". Burch apparently has a habit of checking out, with no finished projects under his belt. He says he'll rely on his local development crew,The McDonnel Group, which has managed, oh, Orleans Parish Prison construction ventures – yikes.
· Gatehouse, the folks behind the "Save The WTC" campaign, also has a local team in DAG Development.
· High Rollers: Report Analyzes 3 World Trade Center Proposals as Kermit Ruffins Pushes Plan [NOLA Defender]
· 3 Visions For 2 Canal Street [bgr.org]