People are asking about my opinion about restoring the Speak Easy. Here it is: if you read the article I posted today about the Courthouse restoration you will learn that the project is $80,000 over the $2.5 million budgeted. This restoration was done on a building that has been in use for a very long time and has had continuous maintenance and upgrades. Picture a condemned space that has not been used, maintained or upgraded. Imagine what it would cost to bring it to code using todays construction standards. I know of an investor who explored this several years ago and the estimate was in excess of $2mil for start up costs. As to it being a tourist attraction and funded by the city, that is very doubtful. Consider our local museums that are struggling to stay afloat and the many downtown businesses that struggle from season to season. Prescott certainly does not need another drinking establishment. Here is a photo from my book that, in my opinion, speaks for itself about the possibility of restoration.
Posted on: Sun, 21 Dec 2014 16:38:28 +0000