Grand designs.

Plans for a $2 billion reconstruction of downtown's Grand Avenue are moving forward even as questions linger over $40 million in tax rebates the project's developer claims are necessary to build a 275-room hotel that would be the comerstone of the project. Critics claim the government subsidies to Related Co.'s are excessive. So the Business Journal asks:

How disappointed would you be if the Grand Avenue project were canceled?

Rick Parent

Director of Real Estate

Practice

Gumbiner Savett Inc.

I would be very disappointed flit didn't go through. I think it would be wonderful for Los Angeles in the continued efforts to revitalize downtown and to continue the growth and construction for the city as a whole. As for the public funding, that I'm not a big fan of. I certainly wouldn't want to incur more public debt for this. However, I would be all for tax credits.

John E. McAniff

Managing Director

Jones Lang LaSalle 

Given the restrictions, set-asides, fees and other requirements placed on development, the only way to economically justify such a large project is with subsidies. I will be terribly disappointed if the project doesn't go through. The project would be good, not only for the city, but the county as well. Bunker Hill and the Civic Center are the heart of Los Angeles. To have a development plan, with proven development expertise, upgrade the Civic Center and convert underutilized property into a viable residential, cultural and retail environment is positive for all Angelenos.

Noreen McClendon

Executive Director

Concerned Citizens of

South Central Los Angeles

As a person that lives in Los Angeles, I would love to see a vibrant downtown. I'm not opposed to redevelopment, I'm not opposed to retail, hotels, or any of that. But if the project as it is currently designed didn't happen, I wouldn't be upset at all And the reason for that is currently the project is not going to benefit all Angelenos. My organization serves working poor people. The retail is going to be high-end, so they're not going to shop there. The hotels are going to be high-end, we're not going to be staying there. The park, which is touted to be this great development--when we look at the histories of parks in downtown LA, the kids of downtown LA can't go into those parks now. We've been referred to as activists, as people just making noise who don't understand. But I'm a developer--I'm very sensitive to the bottom-line and the constraints of development.

K. Forrest Beanum

Public Affairs Manager

Cerrell Associates

The proposed multi-use project is crucial for the continued revitalization of our city. Commercial development would infuse the city with new streams of revenue creating an economic magnet downtown. This is one of several projects on the near horizon that will transform downtown from an employment center to a multi-faceted destination.

Tania M. Moyron

Associate

Levene Neale Bender

Rankin & Brill LLP 

I am in support of the Grand Avenue project. I think the downtown area is currently thriving more than ever as a result of other successful projects and improvements. I think the Grand Avenue project will further reinvigorate the area and generate more business. In that regard, I would be disappointed if the project didn't go forward. I do think, however, that any public investment in the project needs to come directly from revenue generated by the project.

Brian Kabateck

Partner

Kabateck Brown Kellner LLP

I'd be disappointed if the project did not go through, but not surprised. The project has only a slight chance of success as it stands now. The City of Los Angeles should have a substantial hand in the project including providing public funding if the project has any chance to succeed.