Divinity Won't Happen
Barber Group confirms Dickson Street hotel project canceled
Last updated Wednesday, May 30, 2007 9:08 PM CDT in News
By Dug Begley
THE MORNING NEWS
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FAYETTEVILLE -- Some called it the best thing to happen to Dickson Street in years. Others called it a monstrosity unfit for Fayetteville. Officials with The Barber Group confirmed Wednesday they were calling it off.
Brandon Rains, project manager with The Barber Group, said Wednesday the Springdale-based developer was withdrawing its plans for the Divinity hotel and condominium project between Church and Block Avenues.
"We are going to make a business decision and not proceed," Rains said.
Divinity was approved by the Fayetteville City Council in July over the Planning Commission's recommendation. It was scaled back to nine stories after originally coming forward as a 15-story project.
Rains said The Barber Group will continue development of its other projects, including a Westin Hotel planned in Rogers and the Bellafont project on Joyce Avenue in Fayetteville. He said work is complete on the firm's other downtown Fayetteville development, the Legacy Building. Half the condos in the building are sold, Rains added.
Divinity was derided and applauded as it made its way toward city approval, something that took a toll on the project, Rains said.
"It is extremely unfortunate the Divinity Hotel got caught up in a larger approval process," Rains said.
He said he could not speculate on what will become of the property, but The Barber Group could decide to propose another development.
"We are going to re-evaluate," Rains said.
The site meanwhile will sit as it has since a lawsuit stopped the project shortly after its approval.
For critics of the development that might be a good thing.
"Right on Dickson, at that corner, I was not for it," said city council member Kyle Cook.
Cook and council members Lioneld Jordan and Shirley Lucas voted against the project, citing concerns with parking and the building's design.
"My issue for that particular building was the mass of it," Cook said.
Others were not as concerned about Divinity's appearance and supported it. Former city council Robert "Swifty" Reynolds said his support was based on economics. He said if Divinity is not built, it will be a loss for downtown, especially financially.
"There would be more foot traffic along Dickson Street," Reynolds said of Divinity. "I think that would make a huge difference."
During the summer months, Reynolds said businesses along Dickson need customers, and another downtown hotel would certainly provide them.
"If all those people were there, how many would wake up in the morning with a headache and walk across the street to Collier's Drug Store for aspirin," Reynolds said. "Or Tums."
Critics remained unconvinced. Michael Shirkey and Peter Tooker took their opposition to court, alleging the city did not follow its own rules in approving the project. The lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial Wednesday.
Rains said he could not speculate on how the lawsuit will get resolved, referring questions to The Barber Group's lawyer, Cliff Plunkett. Plunkett was not available Wednesday.
Shirkey also would not comment, and referred questions to his lawyer, William Putman. Putman was not available Wednesday.
Fayetteville City Attorney Kit Williams said he had not received a letter from Plunkett announcing The Barber Group's decision. He said he had spoken to Plunkett, and was expecting one.
"Until I get it in my hand though, I don't know," Williams said. "But I have real doubts about whether this trial is going to go forward Wednesday."
Williams said if The Barber Group withdraws its proposal with the city, the lawsuit could be dismissed.
"I would imagine a motion would be filed in court saying the trial is moot," he said.
Williams said he was prepared to move forward.
"I had three witnesses ready to go," Williams said.
Rains said The Barber Group is ready to move on its other projects.
"It doesn't have anything to do with our other projects," Rains said of Divinity.
He said once the projects reach a certain level, they become entities unto themselves. Opting not to build Divinity does not put them in jeopardy, Rains said. It could give the company time to focus on the existing projects.
Rains chose his words carefully when asked if Divinity had soured the company on Fayetteville.
"At the end of the day, the overall process put us in an unfortunate situation," Rains said.
Divinity or no, he said Fayetteville needs more investment.
"I think there is a need for another high-end hospitality project," Rains said. "We still feel and believe there is a need."
BY THE NUMBERS
Divinity Hotel And Condominium
The Barber Group said Wednesday it was calling off plans for the Divinity project along Dickson Street in Fayetteville. A look at some of the figures to how we got here:
* 15, then 10, then 9: Stories proposed for the building
* 137: Hotel rooms
* 14,116: Square feet of proposed retail space
* 370: Parking Spaces
* 9: Hours spent by the Fayetteville Planning Commission and Fayetteville City Council discussing the project
* $720,000: Estimated annual property tax of hotel
* 2: Appeals filed due to Divinity. The developers appealed a Planning Commission decision, and two Fayetteville residents appealed the city council's approval of the project.
Source: Staff Report
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