Mills renovation almost finished Plaza Hotel next? (Jefferson: apartments, condos)

[Rich Cabeza]

Does anyone know about the Plaza Hotel renovation. Will it be a hotel or apartments? Don't you think it's great what this guy's doing? Can you imagine how awesome it would be being up high in a room and checking out what's going on in the plaza all day?

[joqua]

Originally Posted by Rich Cabeza

Don't you think it's great what this guy's doing? Can you imagine how awesome it would be being up high in a room and checking out what's going on in the plaza all day?

W-a-y back when, my dad's office was on the 7th floor of the Mills Bldg. He was an agent with Jefferson Standard Life Ins Co at the time. So it's nice that Paul Foster has seen fit to renovate the building.

But he's taking a HUGE GAMBLE on downtown ever reviving to the point that it was pre-urban sprawl days. I wish him nothing but success.

[atrabilius]

Originally Posted by joqua

W-a-y back when, my dad's office was on the 7th floor of the Mills Bldg. He was an agent with Jefferson Standard Life Ins Co at the time. So it's nice that Paul Foster has seen fit to renovate the building.

But he's taking a HUGE GAMBLE on downtown ever reviving to the point that it was pre-urban sprawl days. I wish him nothing but success.

If he can't fill these buildings with offices, let him fill them with apartments or condos, if he can get people to live in them and provide these people with the things that would encourage them to stay there, or else tear these buildings down, rather than have them sit vacant and be an eyesore and a public nuisance.

[Rogarven]

I give Paul Foster credit also for taking a gamble . I used to go to the 6th floor for allergy shots from Dr. Rita Don back in 1960-61. The elevator had an attendant and had the sissor type door that was sort of spooky. LOL I think the place has possibilities. I read that there are a lot of government agencies moving in there.

[joqua]

Originally Posted by atrabilius

If he can't fill these buildings with offices, let him fill them with apartments or condos, if he can get people to live in them and provide these people with the things that would encourage them to stay there, or else tear these buildings down, rather than have them sit vacant and be an eyesore and a public nuisance.

I think offering living quarters at this stage would be putting the cart before the horse. Until there are once again good restaurants, easy shopping for daily needs, and other attractions for residents, it isn't going to happen.

As for tearing down old buildings, there are some - like the Mills Bldg - that are historically valuable besides being architecturally unique. Others are indeed just eyesores, but no more so than having empty lots collecting blowing trash, etc. IF and WHEN downtown becomes a viable option for developers, those old buildings that aren't salvageable/convertible will be replaced, I feel sure.