Once touted as an exciting new addition to the Lexington skyline and an engine for tourism downtown, the CentrePointe project has so far generated only controversy.
Rewind the clock to March 2008.
George W. Bush is president, Sara Bareilles’ "Love Song" rules the airwaves, and The Webb Companies announce plans for a towering four-star hotel flanked by 77 condominiums and retail space in the heart of downtown to be called CentrePointe. Three months later demolition permits for a row of buildings situated on a historic block bordering South Limestone are granted and the $250 million dollar project appears to be off and running.
"We want to get everybody's input. We want to get all the design ideas incorporated and do the project right," Webb told the Bluegrass Hospitality Association that year. "Figure whenever we can start, add 24 months and that's when we'll be open."
But early red flags are already popping up, with many city leaders questioning Webb’s unnamed financial backers.
In 2009, Lexington officials are informed that one of the financiers passed away the previous fall, dashing hopes that CentrePointe might be ready in time for the 2010 World Equestrian Games. The news leads to testy exchanges between Webb and then-Vice Mayor Jim Gray during a council work sessions.
"The only thing that is disingenuous is... what repeatedly the representations that have been made on this project. In my view, it is unconscionable and regrettable that our city has been hoodwinked all along," Gray chides.
"If you believe that I'm sorry. You know better," Webb responds.
When backup financing proposals fall through, the project is halted and the site is converted into a fenced-in field, one that proves ideal for hosting local Fourth of July and Equestrian Games events.
Between mid-2010 and 2011, several new designs surface, including concepts created by renowned Chicago architect Jeanne Gang. Her vision for a 30-story tower made to look like a bundle of tubes complete with airy public spaces and roof gardens rekindles some excitement in a community frustrated by the lack of progress.
"To have residences, condos, apartments, restaurants, office space, and a nice green environment for this city is, I think, the greatest thing to happen to Lexington and I've lived here 40 years," resident Robert Maras says, following Gang's unveiling.
But cut to October and Webb announces that Gang is off the project and more redesigns are on the way.
It’s not until late 2013 that changes come to the site – this time in the form of concrete barriers set up along the perimeter. Fully six years have passed before the first round of blasting begins. New renderings also show five additional floors for the apartment complex and an extra 110 Marriott suites, but many Lexingtonians remain skeptical. Asked on video about ways the city could improve as part of WUKY's 2014 mayoral debate, residents make CentrePointe a recurring theme.
"And I'd like to see this glorious hole filled in next to us here," Alida Dance says, motioning toward the empty block.
Fast forward to the present day. With only part of the work finished on the underground parking garage, city leaders are flexing their muscle. Thanks to language embedded in the Tax Increment Financing agreement between Webb and the city, attorneys say Lexington officials can demand that Webb fill in the site if no work takes place for 60 days – and that’s just what they’re doing.
But Webb tells ABC 36 he’s holding up his end of the bargain.
"My reaction is that we've been working again this week. We've been pouring concrete on the site. We have orders up there today," he says. "There's no way we violated the 60 day provision of this agreement. I think it's their means of trying to put pressure on us to complete this project."
Whether the city’s ultimatum represents a turning point for CentrePointe or just the latest salvo remains to be seen.
