hear the City wants to redevelop that whole area

Andy:
Assuming what you say is true, I doubt they would get involved in the day to day decision making. They likely rely on Trump and his expertise as a developer to guarantee the greatest possible return. They'll likely have no interest in what actually gets built, but only that they get a decent return on their investment. It's up to our elected officials to ensure that whatever is built provides the maximum benefit to Fresno. You see what changes have taken place under Autry? Expect more of the same, unless Trump says otherwise. Too bad we can't get Bloomberg, along with Trump. Fresno needs a better vision.

OotV:
I remember that project. Tale as old as time. The people who were there first want nothing to change. If they wanted to keep their view, they should have bought the lot. It's just more NIMBYism. They steal from the future with no regard for others. Trump's job is to make the most successful development possible. Our elected officials are responsible for ensuring the development provides the maximum benefit to the city. Trump will do his job. Will our reps in gov't do theirs?

take two

closing that bold.

Back in the day there was a situation (it actually started in the Mid-East and was documented not just in Sociology and Architectual books, but Ripley's Believe it or not...)
There was a house done with what was called a 'spite' wall (or a spite house.)

The deal was, there was a section on a hillside where everybody had built houses (we're going back into I THINK the 50's?) and everybody could view the local sea.
One neighbor was mad at another, and built a building (his house, or an extension of it,) directly in front of the others so that the view of the sea was forever blocked, (or severely taken up by the deliberate addition.)
Hence 'the Spite House.'

Not sure if they get so involved with it around here, -but where there are higher density living situations, BIG MONEY, and folks who want to plunk down a mansion that has pretty surroundings (that they don't want messed with?) This gets into the legal world of 'View Rights,' -and it gets pretty wild...

Now, Mr. Trump I am sure has his passsions as anybody else does, but he appears to be first a businessman.

On the West side of Manhattan there were several high-rise apartments that were not so far from the West Side Highway, and overlooked the Hudson, -also showing the palasaides (quite a pretty view, very dramatic, etc,) --and understandably, apartments facing the water that offered a panoramic view went for quite a pretty penny...

Then somebody bought the land between those buildings and the Highway/Riverfront and put up their own massive buildings...

Guess who THAT was?

(These things were just being built when I moved here in the fall of '05, not sure if they're done...

-The value of the old apartments, (which were actually quite new, and kept in top form,) diminished, and the new Trump Flats were now going for at least two or three pretty pennies more than the old.

When looking at a business situation where somebody like the Donald is involved, think of them as being more like a chemical reaction or a law of physics, they are dependable and consistant, -but they are about one thing, -and that one thing will not be denied, and often is not partisan.

Outcome?
Yes, once he gets involved things will happen, they will be dramatic and they will be significant.
-They are (unlike the 'spite wall, which was all about 'spite,') often devoid of emotion, -and all about the benjamins, with little room for pettiness, regard for nostalgia and sentiment, -and again, quite thorough...

Be prepared to hear a lot of words like 'Ruthless,' 'Unyeilding,' and 'extremely efficient and fast acting.'
-it IS all business.

I have heard that Trump gets most of his funding from Dubai and Saudi Arabia, and, not his own money. What are the properties they have developed together and how well planned out are they? I know Dubai has built quite a bit of high density, public transportation heavy as well as environmentally friendly ( solar) projects in their own country. Could they, through Trump ,be persuaded to do the same here in Fresno?

Summary: Trump has withdrawn his latest 40 mil offer because he believes Mick Evans is not really interested in selling, but wants to develop RH himself. He plans to rebid during the bankruptcy process. Phil Evans and Autry got their panties in a bunch because they want Trump to handle it.

http://www.fresnobee.com/263/story/69558.html

This mirrors what I said previously. Trump is using political and popular opinion as leverage against Evans. I think he'll succeed in obtaining RH, as no other bidders have stepped forward, when they had all the reason in the world to do so. Evans is going to lose, he doesn't have the resources to see this project through, and the city+county want Trump on it.

This might actually work out for Fresno. Trump is good at what he does (Wharton undergrad, Jarah). Check out his wiki page for some of his successes. He can squeeze blood from a turnip. Him completing the project might give developers incentive to build in the area. Only problem is, any development will probably constitute more sprawl, and not the forward looking, land intensive use that Fresno really needs. Trump usually does work in built-out urban areas, so maybe they should try to get him involved in downtown. I'm sure he would love the opportunity to stamp his name on a significant swath of the city.

I think it's worth noting that the third offer upped the cash from profits, which means no additional cash up front. I keep reading that other investors are interested, but I have to say this is doubtful. I'm sure they would've come forward publicly by now. Trump's strategy is the correct one. He's using public and political interest in getting the project completed as leverage against Mick Evans. I think he'll eventually end up getting it, or the project will fail completely.

or the Dominion DOMINATED

as in TRUMPED