Thursday, Jul. 02, 2009

SIUE sues developer over property; grass grows tall at planned hotel site

EDWARDSVILLE -- The grass grows tall at the entrance to University Park, where a hotel reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright was supposed to stand.

Now Southern Illinois University Edwardsville is suing developer William Shaw, asking a judge to order him to restore the property where his visionary hotel was to have been built.

The ground was broken in 2004 with much fanfare about Shaw's dream to build a hotel and conference center in the Wright style, with an architecture museum incorporated into the building itself. Construction began and a foundation was laid, but then Shaw lost his funding and construction stopped.

Technically the lease expired in 2006, but the university granted two extensions as Shaw tried to find more funding, according to spokesman Greg Conroy. But the lease officially expired in April 2007.

Two years later, nothing has changed. On Monday, SIUE filed for a declaratory judgment that would order Shaw to remove construction equipment and materials and restore the site.

But it's not as simple as pulling out the weeds and hauling away equipment.

"There's a significant amount of work to be done," said University Park director Jim Pennekamp. "The foundation was poured and would have to be taken out."

Pennekamp said there is no price estimate yet on the restoration, but Conroy said the contract states Shaw would be responsible for it.

Shaw could not be reached for comment.

Both Conroy and Pennekamp said the university believed in the project and wanted it to succeed. But now, Conroy said, it's about being good stewards of public property.

"I think the university has been very supportive and very amenable, we obviously wanted to see this thing built," Pennekamp said. "We went as far as we could in terms of supporting the project, but at this point, we really are obliged to end it and move on."

About a year ago, University Park issued requests for proposals for the site. None have progressed at this time, Pennekamp said -- the economy is affecting construction schedules. Conroy said any replacement for Spring Green Lodge would also have to fit the guidelines of a research park and support services for those research and educational facilities.

Otherwise, Pennekamp said, University Park has had good luck with its tenants. All but one have been retained over the years and several have expanded. The massive American Red Cross facility in development is expected to start construction this year.