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Updated: 11:03 AM Mar 16, 2010
Developer Eyes Downtown Buildings
A private developer wants to turn the Amerock and Tapco buildings into a Hotel
Posted: 10:34 PM Mar 15, 2010 |
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3 Comments 
Rockford Aldermen ask for more time to consider a plan for two downtown buildings that have been sitting empty for more than 40 years.
A private developer under the name “RockRiver Live” wants to turn the Amerock and Tapco buildings into a multi use hotel and shopping center. Some council members say they've seen this proposal many times before and believe the plan sounds too good to be true..
"It's not realistic” said City Administrator Jim Ryan… “ We have seen many development proposals over the years and when you look at the renovation cost it would take, it's just not a viable option" he said
The idea for the development was presented at tonight's planning and development committee meeting. Members with RockRiver Live say they have been interested in the two buildings for about half a year and were disappointed to see the city's request to purchase the structures.
Right now local leaders are debating whether to buy the buildings for demolition through a community block grant that would expand Davis Park. City leaders are trying to clean up the area considering it's feet away from a potential Amtrak station.. Members with RockRiver Live say they want ownership of the structures so they can be apart of the revitalization downtown.. but administrator Jim Ryan says it would cost the city more to have an investor purchase the property than it would for Rockford to take ownership. The developer says despite proposals in the past , they are capable of the investment.
" We are a team of professionals and have financial investors backing us.” Said Ricky Trinidad, Operations Manager with RockRiver Live Inc. .. “We are very qualified to do a great job and I believe now is the time to really be apart of this radical change" he said
Local leaders say RockRiver Live is requesting a heavy amount of money in TIFF to purchase the buildings. That’s one reason the city wants to buy the structures, so they are able to control downtown's development and financial future. Some Aldermen also believe they have seen this exact proposal in the past under a different name.
Aldermen will see the complete proposal sometime this week.
Latest Comments
opps wait I didnt mean who cares where they get the money because we dont want them to get it from the government if thats whats going on,my mistake, but if they have the money it would be ok, cause look if you go by the story on this the other day it was for amtrack we do not need an amtrack we need jobs and lots of them the last time I looked maybe obama fixed that I dont know,as far as exspanding davis park how does that help locals,umm maybe more places to sit to see the fireworks maybe we could get the amtrack to take us from machesney to the fireworks thats it,maybe they will hire a couple people to pick up papers afterwords for cash! I get what u are saying thou! goodluck
It sounds to me that this is the same thing we heard about 6 months ago. Just another scam to take money and services from locals and stiff everyone involved. Quite a few very credible locals were stiffed the last time this came about. Rock River Live, Inc is a corporation that was just formed on Feb 22, 2010. Why so recent? Sound fishy????
Just the other day the story was that they wanted to tear them down because of the amtrack they would like too put in,now its because they want too expand davis park,Is it just me or do they just might want the money from the government and not let somebody capitolize on these buildings,Rockford could probly use a hotel downtown its not industral work but its work,if they have a plan and it works who cares where they get the money,renovate the buildings and save some rockford history while doing so,goodluck!
