Hmmm
My sources say that none other than Brian Hornback and Harry Sherrod have been making the rounds, talking up just such a project.

I'm intrigued, because I don't think this is the same project I've been hearing about.

Holy shit. They capitalized "downtown redevelopment." I can't even bring myself to do it.

And the guy's signature looks like the bats Hunter Thompson saw on the way to Vegas. KnoxVegas, baby. 

I think we should try to declare Knoxville, not as a city, but as a Reservation, a Hillbilly Reservation, and set up our own Harrahs. We could then, really call the city Knoxvegas. We are percieved by the rest of the country (as the natives used to be wrongfully percieved), as inbread savages, so we probably want run into any opposition from the rest of the country for our change in status.

There is no shortage of optimists in this town. There is nothing in their eyes that cannot be achieved with taxpayer dollars. We need some pragmatists and we need them now.

It appears that there is a drug like addictive quality to TIFs. Knoxville needs to detox.

We have to get a handle on the TIF problem. If every project must have a TIF then taxes must go up.

The whole idea behind development and growth is that taxes either go down or stay stable.

The current potential TIF list:

McClung Warehouses -8 million

South Knox Waterfront -50 million?, 80 million?, don't ask

This crazy idea, the second new downtown hotel for the Convention Center -50 million?, 70 million?

Projects from Dewhirst we don't know about yet -don't ask

The downtown movie theater -3 million, no 5 million, no 10 million, don't ask

Already approved TIF's:

Candy Factory -8 million

Northshore Town Center -3 million

Glove Factory condos (?)

This is a big local story. When will the KNS cover it? Will the Mayor of Knoxville write an editorial telling the people why Knoxville must have this Hotel? Will it "save" the Convention Center?

Let's review where taxpayer money should be "invested":

Midway Industrial Park

Northshore Town Center

South Knox Waterfront

"New second attempt" downtown Hotel for the Convention Center

Blount County Business Park

Let's review where taxpayer money should NOT be "invested":

Knox County Schools

Pension Plan for Sheriff's Department employees

What is the role of government? Don't we have this exactly backwards?

Must be tough to be scooped by a blog...

http://www.wate.com/Global/story.asp?S=5441433&nav=menu7_2

While the city says it has no plans to cooperate, the private developers are seeking support from within.

"A couple of weeks ago, I was called and had a meeting with Mr. Sherrod," says city councilman Robert Frost.

He says local businessman Harry Sherrod gave him a proposal outlining the development of the four-star hotel.

At first glance, Frost says the proposal looks good.

John Q. Hammons Hotels and Resorts, based out of Missouri, would build the 250-room facility.

The proposal even suggests using the Sunsphere for hotel dining services.

Frost says it could be a moneymaker for the city. "The convention center is under-utilized. We have it and we need to make the best of it."

But Frost says it won't happen at the expense of violating the 2004 hotel referendum, which prohibits the city from spending tax dollars on a convention center hotel.

"We must make sure if this is going anywhere, that it's good for the citizens, it's good for the city government and it complies with the referendum that was passed, pure and simple!" Frost says.

6 News contacted the mayor's office. Officials say they're aware of the interest, but they haven't issued a request for proposals and they're not even considering it.

So will a TIF be considered as a violation of the citizen referendum? Stay tuned...