The Observation Deck

The city has posted the five "finalists" of the eight developers that originally responded to a RFP.

See here:

http://www.onelakewood.com/downtownrfq/

Of note, the last entity is a collaboration of several developers, including Liberty Development, the company that currently employs the former Lakewood City Planning Director, Dru Siley.

Bridget Conant wrote:The city has posted the five "finalists" of the eight developers that originally responded to a RFP.

See here:

http://www.onelakewood.com/downtownrfq/

Of note, the last entity is a collaboration of several developers, including Liberty Development, the company that currently employs the former Lakewood City Planning Director, Dru Siley.

One would hope out of common decency they would throw that one out, until they release Mr. Siley's email, contacts, messages that were asked for 2 years ago, and still refused.

OR, accept it and release Mr. Siley's documents as asked for.

.

Another funny thing.

Dru Siley is supposedly now a VP with Liberty. The proposals all include information on the bidding companies, such as principals and previous projects.

Nowhere in the Liberty proposal is there any mention of Dru Siley. They do list other VP's and principals. Why no Dru Siley? It's a recent proposal so he was already there.

Just really odd.

From their website, Dru is VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT, but doesn't merit a mention in the proposal?

http://liberty-development.com/people/

From the Lakewood Hospital Redevelopment Analysis: "The scope of work, illustrated to the right, is specifically designed to identify (a) the highest and best use...for the Lakewood Hospital site"

I propose a well-financed hospital...!

I just hope the winning proposal includes a good pants store.

Along with my shoe store-maybe an Arrow Shirt store? I'm seeing a back to the 70s trend, Marc's 2.0?

I believe that the Mayor and Council are trying to give the appearance to the Lakewood citizens that the hospital situation is over and settled.

The city can't do a damn thing until the lawsuit is settled.

Again, why the hurry to get everything done? What are they hiding from all the Lakewood Taxpayers?

In seriousness, there are some decent proposals for the property. I find Carnegie's to be interesting. I also liked the Jacobs proposal, though that is the one in question. I agree that any conflict of interest issues probably should be addressed. Ultimately, if there is going to be any commercial space (I think there should be), it comes down to the best financing, and the best anchor tenant.

As one who lacks expertise in this area, they all looked very good to me. Carnegie was associated with the local schools project, which turned out very well, and the Jacobs company has an excellent track record locally and elsewhere, although there is "that question."

What I wonder about is why more mixed use development, and why not a significant sized company that will bring many employees back into the city? I recognize that the City has to hit the 50,000 population level by the next census, and as of the last census, it was over, but not by much. While this will add residents, I don't know if it will be finished in time.

Dan Alaimo wrote:As one who lacks expertise in this area, they all looked very good to me. Carnegie was associated with the local schools project, which turned out very well, and the Jacobs company has an excellent track record locally and elsewhere, although there is "that question."

What I wonder about is why more mixed use development, and why not a significant sized company that will bring many employees back into the city? I recognize that the City has to hit the 50,000 population level by the next census, and as of the last census, it was over, but not by much. While this will add residents, I don't know if it will be finished in time.

I agree. I'd love to see some sort of tech or biomedical company locate a headquarters there.