Discussions

btown4life said "Okay yeah its tax dollars being spent on a very expensive project but have you thought about how good it would be for the community? This project will bring young people down town again and hopefully make down town a happening place again. Having more people down town more frequently actually makes it safer (for those of you that are afraid). I was sad to see the strand go, but it might be a martyr for a revival of down town. Walmart killed the down town.. maybe the BU project will bring it back to life and attract people to fill some of the vacant spaces downtown. "

Downtown died before Walmart. Just my opinion.

PrimeConvoy said "I much prefer government collect my tax dollars and put it in a huge vault and never spend it! I’d rather have decaying vacant buildings and crime in the downtown. I’d much rather the university stay small with few students. I’d rather the university do less to attract business to the downtown!     /sarcasm "

the consultant hired by BU has warned them to scale back their big plans. BU wants to do too many things at once. Plus there is the question.. where is all the money going to come from. All valid points as far as I can see.  
 
It will be nice to see all those crappy eyesores torn down!

is still in the planning and development stage and nothing is set in stone. There's no timeline for it's start. I would think the existing BU site redevelopment would be started or completed first.

It is my understanding that the cost of tearing down the Strand only accounts for a part of the site prepartion costs. The $500k is also to be reused for preparing the whole footprint - everything from the Strand to Princes and over to 9th Steet including the former BREB and Brandon Hotel lots. Also, the money will be used to move power and gas lines - not cheap at all. Anyway, I think more thought for this project is required - I think the plan for parking is woefully inadequate.