48 replies to this topic

[richyb83]

Cyntreniks says it needs help from city to reopen Hotel Bentley: A deadline for Cyntreniks Hospitality Co. to buy the Hotel Bentley in Alexandria from developer Bob Dean has passed, reports the Associated Press. Officials with Baton Rouge-based Cyntreniks are urging for a public-private partnership, similar to what was used to open the Hilton Capitol Center, in order to get the Bentley back in business.

>courtesy of BusinessReport

[tombarnes]

This does not sound good at all.  Of course, it does not surprise me.  Developers have become used to receiving assistance from cities.  In this case, it think some assistance is warranted due to the importance of the building to Alexandria's downtown.  I am worried that the city may not be willing or able to provide a carrot suitable for the developers.  Cross your fingers everyone!

[Rardy]

Louisiana's fifth law school (and the only one north of Baton Rouge) will be developed at Louisiana College in Pineville, per this Town Talk article.

They plan to open for classes in the 2009-2010 school year.  Fees will be competitive with the other schools, accreditation venues are already being lined up.  I hope this really takes off!

Quote

He said the law school will be an asset to Central Louisiana’s students and its economy. The school’s opening gives students who can’t afford to pick up and move to South Louisiana or to Mississippi to attend Mississippi College an opportunity for a law degree.

Johnson said when people look to move to an area they look at opportunities and education. “This law school is going to be great for Central Louisiana,” he said.

[mattdev]

Happened to be in Alexandria last evening, and had some of the best italian food in quite some time - Place is called Bonelli's

[richyb83]

I really hope this works out for the historic Hotel Bentley!  It's a nice size with 178-rooms. That area of downtown Alexandria near the convention center and riverfront really has potential. This is the same company is also re-developing several historic buildings in downtown Baton Rouge.

B.R. company revives plan to purchase Hotel Bentley

http://www.thetownta...EWS01/802290335

[tombarnes]

Let's keep our fingers crossed that it will work out this time.  The Bentley is really the centerpiece of downtown Alexandria.  It has been vacant for too long.

[Rardy]

A Tax Increment Financing plan has been proposed which will include the riverfront between the OK Allen Bridge and the Cottingham Expressway, including the Bentley, the Convention Center, and the former Holiday Inn.  The TIF would help finance infrastructure improvements in the area.

It seems, though, that a lot of locals don't understand the way the TIF works and thinks it means an increase in taxes.  They don't get the whole concept of property taxes being frozen and the excess funding the improvements.  I'm concerned that the TIF might fail simply because they don't know what it is!

[richyb83]

Finally??

Deal reached on sale of Alexandria's Hotel Bentley
Baton Rouge real estate developer Bob Dean and Hospitality Initiatives Partnership have reached an agreement in principle for the sale of Alexandria's historic Hotel Bentley.

Mayor Jacques Roy announced the deal Tuesday at a city council meeting. He said the two sides "arrived at a purchase price" on or around Jan. 19. "They have arrived at a price and to my understanding have signed an agreement," Roy said.

The hotel, which is owned by Dean, has been closed since December 2004.

Paul Cooper with Lifestyle Hospitality in Richmond, Va., who is one of the three HIP principals, told The (Alexandria) Town Talk that a written agreement for the sale of the Bentley is in place. "We've come to a written agreement with Bob Dean and his group to acquire the Hotel Bentley," Cooper said. "Right now we're in the process of negotiating a cooperative endeavor agreement with the mayor's office, and the timing of the transaction for the Bentley will be tied directly to the completion of our diligence with the city."

Cooper said he could not comment about the sale price, which has long been rumored at roughly $6 million.

Dean could not be reached for comment.

The Bentley is one of three downtown properties at the heart of the city's hotels initiative, in which HIP would take over ownership and/or management of the Bentley, the bankrupt Alexander Fulton Hotel and the city-owned Alexandria Riverfront Center

http://www.businessr...as-hotel-rlet1/

[American Dirt]

It's been a few years, but the last time I was there, it appeared that there was a fairly successful upscale restaurant across from the Bentley called The Crystal Room. At the time, it was brand new and had what appeared to be a very skillfully adapted interior. This area seemed likely to be the epicenter for any revitalization of Alexandria's downtown. Anyone have an update on the status of this restaurant and the storefronts adjacent to it?