Reply With QuoteThe heck with that clock tower - they should buy the real Big Ben from the Brits and bring it to Havasu block-by-block No expense should be spared in bringing the UK to LHC.
http://www.arman.kz/images/big%20ben.jpg
Big (Ben) Plans: Developer gives City Council glimpse of possible development to replace English Village
Story by: By Brian Wedemeyer
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Submitted This artist's rendering shows what a proposed development on current location of the English Village would look like from the London Bridge.
The Lake Havasu City Council on Tuesday received a surprise glimpse of what the English Village might look like in a few years.
A review of some proposed amendments to the city's general plan took an unexpected turn when a spokesman for Havasu English Village, LLC agreed to display some conceptual drawings on a wide screen.
The drawings, which include two multi-level structures and a large tower clock, received immediate feedback from the audience. Some shared their excitement while others expressed some concerns.
Havasu English Village is one of seven applicants seeking a new land use designation in the general plan that would allow for a mixture of both commercial and residential development. For this group, the new designation, titled "Resort-Related-Mainland," would take place on 6.8 acres north of the London Bridge.
During his presentation, project spokesman Larry Heath described the English Village as the "cornerstone piece" of the community. With more than half the retail space empty, the English Village has struggled to attract tourists in recent years.
"We take very seriously the relationship this property enjoys with the community and we'd much like to improve it," Heath said. "It's been getting tired over the years."
The property was offered in a private auction last year as part of a bankruptcy court settlement involving Epic Resorts, the parent company of London Bridge Resort. But resort owner Tom Flatley, now one of the group's partners, retained the property after matching the high bid of $4.1 million.
If approved, the proposed amendment would enable the group to build residential units on top of commercial and retail space. Heath said mixed-use development is currently experiencing a rebirth in America.
"It conserves land ... something you don't have a lot of here," Heath said, "and it permits a more full-bodied development."
Heath also said residential development is needed to supplement the project, which he estimated at as much as $80 million.
"We couldn't afford to do it without permitting some residential uses," he said.
Heath said the project would attract wealthy residents to contribute to the city's tax base, as well as help the London Bridge regain status as one of Arizona's top tourist attractions.
"We're going to take great care to make sure whatever you get is up to the standards of the community," he said.
Councilman Vall Striyle said he would not vote in favor of the proposed amendment until he looked at more specific plans for the property. The Council is expected to vote on all of the amendments Sept. 28. Striyle said he also intended to share those plans with the local media.
At first, Heath was hesitant to discuss the project in more detail. But after some audience members echoed Striyle's comment, Health offered a computer disk that included two conceptual drawings showing the front and rear of the project.
Heath stressed that the drawings were strictly conceptual and that the Council would be considering specific plans at a future date.
"I don't want to get into a debate in the papers," Heath said. "The zoning process is still to come. We haven't even hired an architect, yet."
Without mentioning names, local attorney Harvey Jackson, expressed concern about what he perceived as a conflict of interest on the Council. Jackson is a candidate for City Council in the Nov. 2 general election.
Last week, City Attorney Maureen George issued a formal opinion determining that there is no conflict involving Councilman Don Clark.
A local Realtor, Clark is a business partner in a local realty company with Tres Brooks, who is also a member of Havasu English Village LLC. George found no legal or financial ties between the two corporations.
Clark expressed anger over what he described as a personal attack on his integrity. He said he had no financial interest in the English Village and the legal opinion was a matter of public record.
On Wednesday, Clark contacted Today's News-Herald and said that even though he has a written legal opinion that he has no financial conflict of interest, he plans to recuse himself from City Council votes on the project.
"I have gotten a few comments on this today and the perception is very important," Clark said. "For that reason, and that reason only, I will not cast any votes on this project."
The proposed amendments also include a planned mixed-use development on about five acres just south of the bridge. Developer Gerald Clark would not discuss the project in detail.
HDD
The heck with that clock tower - they should buy the real Big Ben from the Brits and bring it to Havasu block-by-block No expense should be spared in bringing the UK to LHC.
http://www.arman.kz/images/big%20ben.jpg
I hope they enjoy all of the carbon monoxide from the channel. I wouldn't want to live there. OH yeah, I forgot, boats using fossil fuels would be banned from the channel once it is lined with high end condos.
I think its safe to say that ANYTHING they do down there will be a VAST improvement over whats there right now.
I hope they enjoy all of the carbon monoxide from the channel. I wouldn't want to live there. OH yeah, I forgot, boats using fossil fuels would be banned from the channel once it is lined with high end condos.
Wouldn't surprise me.
I think its safe to say that ANYTHING they do down there will be a VAST improvement over whats there right now.
Yes, that is certainly true. But what about Stevo's and his awesome reporting skills! LMAO :boxed:
Yes, that is certainly true. But what about Stevo's and his awesome reporting skills! LMAO :boxed:
Something tells me that he is in NO danger of becoming extinct.
Maybe they'll get a place that serves breakfast for us early risers. :coffeycup :coffeycup :coffeycup
Kids...Big Ben....Parliament!!! hehe I couldn't resist
As long as they keep the fudge shop & Papa Leone's pizza I'm ok with it! :smile:
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