Despite the best efforts of the interviewer who clearly had an agenda, I think JB's half time interview on radio Devon has just explained as best he can where we are with the 3 Plymouth projects. 1.HHP . He was over ambitious in suggesting work might start after the Portsmouth match (although never said it would) . Seems fairly confident that work should start during the close season. 2.Pavilions development wont start until after 'the ice' is available at HHP- as he says, it wouldn't make sense to have two ice rinks open at the same time, or indeed to shut the pavilions before the facility is available at HHP- this sequential approach is part of the overall contract. 3. Civic centre - remains the preferred bidder but not confirmed that the job is his. So, nothing new, but it all seems to make perfect sense to me and he has been as honest as he can be with the facts as he sees them. No idea why the interviewer was trying to claim that he has failed to deliver when he had explained the reasons behind the delays and has admitted he was over ambitious with the time frame. He was only bowing to public pressure to give an estimate on when building will start and clearly isn't going to say anything more definite that they hope to start in the summer. Not sure how he could be any more transparent with his plans.
Yet another intelligent comment punchdrunk- I think you will find that the plans/spec will be modified/squeezed to fit the budget-the same as the vast majority of projects are. Generally this will mean that cheaper alternatives for all aspects of the projects will be found e.g wooden kitchen tops instead of granite etc. Only when all aspects have been examined and costs driven down would large amendments in the plans be made as this in itself would incur considerable costs at this stage so would only be a last resort. Given the escalating costs of building projects this may still happen, so it would make the most business sense to spend most of the money where most of the revenue/profit will be generated, ie ice rink, cinema ,retail and hotel etc whilst capping the stand redevelopment budget at the reported £10m. Incidentally, and purely out of interest, when he 'fecks off' as you so eloquently put it, what is your alternative plan?
Didn't hear this interview so difficult to comment constructively on it. Would just point out that on other sites there is an almost entrenched belief that out there is a queue forming to take Argyle on. Indeed it was only a stitch up by the Admin man and the Brent camp, along with certain supporters of the club to assist, that there was a large queue around the block trying to buy Argyle out of Administration previously. Nobody has ever named any of these supposed persons but rest assured according to some they were there and that's all the proof you need. You know I'm not one of Brent's fans so the above is not any attempt to defend the man. The only thing I worry about is the lack of any ability to expand the ground once the building is done. Driving down costs on any project is a given so I don't actually see that as something to beat him with even if there are things out there to beat him with. It was never on the cards that the current ice rink would be pulled down before the new one is built. Clearly it is also a myth that he has the job with the Civic Centre also. Must admit I thought he had the job rather than being a prefered bidder. I don't think he will pull that one off out of the 3.
Haven't had chance like sensible said to hear the interview....any communication is better than none.....helps stop all the negative mumblings. From what's been said by lyndy it does help to make some sense other than all the kill joys propaganda.
I did see that 2014/15 season tickets are not available for the old grandstand which is a pretty stupid thing to do if it isn't going to go ahead...... assuming of course you're aren't dumb enough to assume it's a conspiracy of Watergate magnitude... hands up anyone?
probably right sensible, am not at all sure about the civic centre or how it would make much profit. Sadly, knocking it down appears to be a non starter so i guess someone will have to do something with it eventually though it will make a fairly ugly hotel (at least on the outside). It wouldn't surprise me he he pulled out of that (or didn't get the eventual contract)-I guess it might depend on if there is an end date to start work by. who knows? who cares!
Bull doze the ugly building and leave the space empty as of other projects in the town... Like Lyndy has said its ugly from the outside and who would want to stay there..
Bit like the Bretonside project, not Brent's as far as I know, something needs to happen with the Civic. Not only is it ugly from the outside but it is falling to bits on the inside. Suspect it might fall down on it's own if they took a brick out of the bottom. Not sure I care if Brent does the Civic either lyndhurst.
I might be wrong but is it not the case that English heritage have slapped a preservation order on the civic centre? , hence the reason it has to be developed as opposed to knocked down(which i suspect the vast majority of us would prefer). This might mean that JB is getting it at next to nothing (if indeed he is getting it at all) and perhaps he does have a cunning plan to turn a profit.
I do believe it has somehow become a grade 2 listed building. In this case the word listed should mean it leans rather than should be preserved. There are ways around things of course like pretending bits are falling off the sides and it's dangerous. Hence the cover for the entrance so that members of the public don't get squished. Please note however than we had 3 or 4 storms enough to break up the average sea front but not one bit was reported falling off that building. It's a bloody eyesore and the Heritage people want their backsides kicking severely for trying to make out this sort of building is some kind of National treasure.
It's a bit like that awful monstrousity.....the Battersea Power Station.....just needs raising to the ground...but it's a listed building.....and those four ugly chimneys have got to be saved. The prime ground is worth millions....and is a terrible eyesight as you pass it on the train into central London......maybe James Brent should cut his teeth on developing that .
