DTG

I have been by a few days ago. If there is work being done, I haven't seen any evidence of it.

The project is still in a holding pattern. They are waiting on Financing. The projected start date is Jan. 09.

Any thought of connecting through to the adjacent Louisiana Place building? I believe there was originally a door to connect the building. That would give the guests tunnel access during business hours.

No tunnel access is planned at this time. The original access to the adjacent building (Total) is located on the 2nd floor.

Yes, they had to mean 08. The project was only announced in late July '07.

There are some budget issues. Originally we were scheduled to start late 07. Now it looks like around April - May 08.

I had to do a double take on thursday when I saw a crane take away the booth from the parking lot across the street from the future Omni. Didn't think much of it until Friday when I saw that it was closed off. Even the Hyatt bus was parked off to the side (blocking a sidewalk, I must add).

Anyone know about what's going on? DTG? Is this connected to the Omni or has something ELSE slipped uner the radar?

The current plan is to close the sidewalk on Polk and one lane of traffic to install a dual cab exterior hoist. We are expecting to have this hoist in place for 6-9 months until we get the interior elevators running. Anticipated start date is Jan-Feb 07.

Also the existing garage will be closed to the public once construction starts.

I was talking to an Otis elevator sales rep. yesterday and he said he was preparing a quote to redo the elevators of the old Days Inn. According to him the developer was going to expand the footprint of the building and turn it into high dollar lofts. Can anyone else confirm this rumor?

Can you post pictures? Pleeeeease?

At the time the Hyatt planned to renovate, they were going to build a skywalk across Louisiana to the Hyatt. Is that still in the plans?

No skywalk is planned at this time.

Several. I am not positive, but I think it was up during the Super Bowl, which would make it going on 4 years.

EDIT: Holy Cow! How about 6 YEARS! According to this blog, the scaffolding went up after Tropical Storm Allison, which caused some of the panels to come loose. Allison was in June 2001!

http://politicalblog.abc13.com/2007/07/index.html

The scaffolding has been up for about 4 years. (I know this because I'm involved with the project. The project is scheduled to be completed by June 08.

They have actually been doing work on the Chronicle building during the last month or so.

They are currently removing all the marble from the building. Aluminum panels will be installed from the 2^nd floor to the roof. The ground floor will have new stone along with a new plaza. The existing parapet is also being removing. Once construction is complete in July 08 the building will have a nice new look.

Just to clear a couple of things up.

The group that purchased the building owns the parking garage below the building. Once construction starts the garage will be closed. Currently the Hyatt and individuals lease out parking in the garage.

As far as the pre-cast falling off the building - Eng. have reviewed and are in the process of reviewing the skin on the building. Some spawling on the pre-cast panels does exist. The owners are working on a plan to mitigate this situation. It just will take a little time.

The hotel is scheduled to open Sept. 09

The drive through area is still there and the parking garage still functions as a parking garage...

Construction is scheduled to start early 08. It will be an Omni Hotel.