It's all about the Hilton
What if there was not a downtown Hilton?
Would we even be having this discussion about a New Convention Center, or even built Midland Center in the first place? Every story about the Center always seems to include some quote about how having a large capacity, high quality hotel in close proximity (specifically the Hilton) is a prerequisite for building a convention center.
What is there to guarantee the Midland Hilton will still be in business when this project is completed? Don't think it can't happen? First National Bank went under, TI bailed on a multi-million dollar facility, the Midland Hilton is already an independently owned property (Wall Street Hospitality LTD), having been sold by Hilton Hotels a couple of years ago, they just stayed in the branding and booking family.
Besides, Walsingham has already debunked the "New Convention Center" being a room night generator. Which makes me wonder, if you got the owners of the Hilton to take off their "Downtown Booster" hats, what do they really think a "New Convention Center" would do for their business?
4 Comments
Eidifices like these are modern man's Towers of Babel.
I think the old K-Mart building would make a good convention center. Plenty of parking too.
OOPS, no hotel close, no downtown bigwigs to profit. I know, I know, not enough freespan.
Should have whispered this, the county commissioners might buy it up with taxpayer money for 50 million.
Damn, I am getting cranky in my old age.
Thanks again for the good coverage of the convention center! I have started an informal online petition at http://www.petitiononline.com/MidConv/petition.html
to hopefully get enough signatures to show that there are really a lot of people who see no logic in this proposal and ARE NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR IT! If we get enough signatures I will send it to the City Council before their May "retreat"...
Thoughtful entry Ospurt. Pray tell who comprises this Wall Street Hospitality LTD. The LTD and not Inc confuses me as I thought (mistakenly, no doubt)LTD was the British version of Inc. Ach! I hate getting old , I used to be able to tell the players without a program..Anyone local on the board of this Wall Street Hospitality LTD ????