To the surprise of nobody who has been alive in St. Louis County for the past two years, Novus Development and its president, Jonathan Browne, are having trouble with another project. The Post-Dispatch has a short article on his plans in Rock Hill with a wonderful little nugget:
"Browne said he met with residents to determine why they hadn’t signed contracts to sell their properties and learned they wanted more money."
How dare they!!! In America of all places! Who do these people think they are trying to get the most money possible for their investment? So what does the very sinkable Mr. Browne do? Negotiate further? Counteroffer? Reason with them? Of course not. This is 2007, so his first choice is:
"Novus President Jonathan Browne had said his company needed an additional $7 million in tax incentives."
Go to the city and demand more money from taxpayers! Wisely, the Rock Hill Board of Alderman has rejected this shameless demand. Now bids are again being considered to redevelop the northwest corner of Rock Hill aka McKnight and Manchester. Whatever the new plan is, I hope the incredibly succesfull restaurant stays. As for other possible tenants, I can think of one company that would be absolutely perfect there.
