Catalyst Done?
Exactly one year ago I commented on the fact that little had been said about the Catalyst One highrise project. I posted a few other times on the same topic. So it was with very little surprise that I read this morning that the project is gasping for air.
In all fairness, the project sounded ridiculously huge and expensive from the get-go. I was never optimistic that the end result would be nearly as grand as the proposal. But I did figure we would end up with something. And by “something” I don’t mean two bugly blacktop parking lots.
At this point I say we cut our losses and go with Karin Dalziel’s original idea:
The cynical side of me believes these will stay parking lots for years.
I say we build a big, adult friendly park - with grown up sized swings and slides, and a place to play 4 square. That’d be fun! (I admit I’m a bit weird, though)
The Comments
Gene says My office is really close November 26, 2008 at 9:23am
My office is really close to there (no Mr. T, it’s not at Amigo’s), and I was thinking about Karin’s prediction the other day. She was spot on.
JT says City Square November 26, 2008 at 11:24am
Why don’t they just expand the city square to that entire empty block?
Karin Dalziel says Damn, the cynical side wins November 29, 2008 at 2:30pm
Damn, the cynical side wins again.
There was a plan for a city square on the SW corner, right? Why can’t they get started on that regardless of the plans for office space?
What really bugs me about the article is all the secretiveness. They bought the land with city money- so shouldn’t citizens know the status? It just stinks in so many ways. :/
Mr. Wilson says RE: Damn, the cynical side wins November 30, 2008 at 9:54am
I think the plan is to ensure that the plaza ties in with the adjacent project. What makes that more complicated is the possibility that the Val’s / Quiznos / Cold Stone / Chipotle building may also become part of Catalyst One. Whether or not that building remains standing will likely affect how the plaza space is organized.
Plus, I’m not so sure Lincoln has the cash right now.