Wednesday will mark the first anniversary since the proposal to put a brew pub on a vacant city lot at the corner of Stone Avenue and Franklin Street at the north end of downtown was made public. But as of last week, neither of the two leading principals in the effort would say whether Nimbus is in or out.
Nimbus owner Jim Counts says he still very much wants to be a part of the project, though he’s read and heard otherwise. He suspects the rug has been yanked out from under him.
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“All I want is for them, Jim Horvath and Town West, to stand by their agreement,” Counts said. “It’s all there in writing, nothing has changed.”
Horvath said he wants to wait until after the City Council makes its decision, probably in two weeks, and then he said he will talk with Counts.
“We’re going to meet with them after the Council makes its decision,” Horvath said. “If it passes and they still want to be a part of the project, that will be a determination they have to make.”
Horvath said “generally the concept is still the same” and it includes room for a brew pub “or some other restaurant concept.”
What has changed, according to Horvath, is that the city is not able to offer some of the incentives “so the original letter of intent is null and void and we’ll have to have renewed discussions with Nimbus.”
But that’s not how Counts sees it.
He says the only changes are changes that Horvath has sought from the city beyond what the two of them had previously agreed upon with the city. In particular, Counts noted 11 additional contingencies Horvath sought beginning in March. Four of the items sought city concessions regarding parking requirements, a contribution from the city for other public spaces, relocation of utilities, elimination of several fees, waiver of archaeological requirements and a guarantee from the city the site is free of environment issues.
Counts, who said he has spent $142,000 so far pursuing the idea of building a Nimbus Brewery downtown said he brought in Town West earlier this year at the urging of city officials. He said he had been considering two other partners but neither were Tucson companies and city officials told him it would help his cause to go with Town West because it is a local company.
Telephone calls to the City Manager’s office were not returned last week.
E-mail comments for publication to editor@azbiz.com. Contact David Hatfield by e-mail at dhatfield@azbiz.com or call (520) 295-4237.
© 2006 Inside Tucson Business. All Rights Reserved
Comments
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neighborhood watch wrote on Dec 18, 2008 4:03 PM:
...He forgot to mention that he is BLOCKING the view of everyone who lives directly to the south and west of this development. There are about 50 homes that used to have views which are now obstructed by giant yellow machines. I have watched this developed destroy the desert, tear precious saguaros from the ground and cause the surrounding neighbors pain. These are working class people who have worked hard to make their houses into homes. Their peace and sanity has been torn from them due to this project. They say they will increase the value of the surrounding areas, I think not. Who is going to want to buy a house surrounded by a bunch of ugly townhomes that blocks their view of any of the nearby desert! I hope these town homes don't sell. The neighborhood directly to the north is full of low income families, and several meth labs have been raided in the area. I don't know any doctors and lawyers like over-looking meth labs, but last time I checked not very many. My hope is that this project will put developers like this in to bankruptcy when their homes don't sell. Then they can get a taste of their own community-destroying medicine. Saying that they are trying to improve this community is a joke. From someone who lives around here, we all hate you and your stupid development!!!! Boycott Spreiser Realty! They are just in it for the money and they have a complete lack of respect for the community. Go check out the construction site today if you don't believe me- they have let it fill up with trash which is now blowing around the neighborhood. Usually when you run a business it is not a good idea to upset everyone off in your community-- but Spreiser has sure succeeded at that! "
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