Quote(https://photos.moderncities.com/Cities/Jacksonville/Development/UCU010219/i-nMx3CKV/0/281320cb/L/20190126_160500-L.jpg)
If you don't know your urban redevelopment past you are doomed to repeat it. Here are five quick revitalization observations regarding the premature demise of a heavily incentivized proposal to convert the skeleton of Berkman 2 into a hotel and nearby contaminated property into an amusement park and parking garage.
Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/lessons-learned-as-berkman-2-dream-goes-up-in-smoke/
Excellent article. Hope someone in the administration listens.
So a $100+ million project was largely dependent on an old warship being docked next to it? GAME CHANGER! ;D ;D ;D
Quote from: RiversideRambler on April 18, 2019, 09:40:42 AM
So a $100+ million project was largely dependent on an old warship being docked next to it? GAME CHANGER! ;D ;D ;D
Even if the buyer had no business whatsoever developing the property, I still think the city deserves its share of the blame for this thing blowing up.
It's on the buyer to perform due diligence, but I have zero doubt that the city was trying to unload Berkman II under the auspices of a grand new convention center and naval museum being located next door.
Things like this, and the botched Convention Center RFP, and forcibly removing Sleiman from the Landing can't be creating a lot of goodwill and faith in Jacksonville within the development community.
QuoteIt's on the buyer to perform due diligence, but I have zero doubt that the city was trying to unload Berkman II under the auspices of a grand new convention center and naval museum being located next door.
If they had done due diligence they would have known how utterly ridiculous it was to expect COJ to build a CC that fit the RPF specifications.
QuoteThings like this, and the botched Convention Center RFP, and forcibly removing Sleiman from the Landing can't be creating a lot of goodwill and faith in Jacksonville within the development community.
That the city has any credibility at all on anything having to do with DT is a surprise to me. That was true before the things you listed but especially true now.
"Hope someone in the administration listens."
Who in the current administration is considered an expert in urban planning and design?
Ennis knows more than all the COJ staff and administration combined. I wish he had some input into moving things forward in DT.
Quote from: MusicMan on April 18, 2019, 02:26:52 PM
"Hope someone in the administration listens."
Who in the current administration is considered an expert in urban planning and design?
Ennis knows more than all the COJ staff and administration combined. I wish he had some input into moving things forward in DT.
Ennis for Mayor...or...head of the Downtown development Authority.
Lessons Learned As (insert failed urban core project) Dream Goes Up In Smoke
OK, so about the new rumor that Berkman 2 is sold again and is going to be an all suite hotel with condos on top....And the buyers have 90 days to close (13 days ago).....
Are we going to believe it this time?
Quote from: downtownbrown on November 14, 2019, 10:09:49 AM
OK, so about the new rumor that Berkman 2 is sold again and is going to be an all suite hotel with condos on top....And the buyers have 90 days to close (13 days ago).....
Are we going to believe it this time?
I sure hope so.
Hopefully talk of all the early interest in the Ford on Bay property and the Lot J stuff to the east has made this a desirable project for someone.
Would be a huge black eye to see the economic cycle come and go with Berkman II still in the shape it's in now.
especially for Mr. Mayor, who promised....
Quote from: downtownbrown on November 14, 2019, 10:09:49 AM
OK, so about the new rumor that Berkman 2 is sold again and is going to be an all suite hotel with condos on top....And the buyers have 90 days to close (13 days ago).....
Are we going to believe it this time?
Only if it's nice enough to keep mr CEO from big company from running for the hills. Of course, they like Jax...just not the hotel quality.
Lots of rumors flying around. If true, the crappy hotel problem will be solved.
Does the potential owner have an illegal parking lot case pending with the City?
Mission accomplished! You won't recognize downtown in 4 years....
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/01/13/multi-million-dollar-building-and-property-condemned-on-jacksonvilles-riverfront/ (https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2020/01/13/multi-million-dollar-building-and-property-condemned-on-jacksonvilles-riverfront/)
Lenny gets to demolish another riverfront building!
It's a shame developers couldn't pick up the slack left behind from the mess in 2007, but honestly this one doesn't bother me in the least. An unfinished project that has been an eyesore for over a decade isn't going to be missed.
This hardly qualifies as a building, it's an inactive unfinished construction project.
Honestly this should have happened a long time ago. Glad we won't have to listen to any more fantasy land redevelopment plans for this mess. See ya.
LOL, I'm surprised this is one Lenny didn't blow up a while back. It's probably the one thing he can blow up that won't get much push back.
I wonder if he's gonna try and give this land to Khan too.
Quote from: acme54321 on January 13, 2020, 09:01:03 AM
Honestly this should have happened a long time ago. Glad we won't have to listen to any more fantasy land redevelopment plans for this mess. See ya.
Wanna bet? Give in Jax's history this site has at least 20 years of 'game changer' proposal to go.
Still waiting for Lot J to secure $233 million in public funding. In other words, Khan isn't going to do anything with it.
Finally, a better view of the jail from the river. Awesome.
The city doesn't own the parcel, they only have the power to condemn the structure. Given the lack of interest in repairing the structure to remove the condemnation, it seems like demo is the only likely path forward.
Quote from: thelakelander on January 13, 2020, 10:38:30 AM
Still waiting for Lot J to secure $233 million in public funding. In other words, Khan isn't going to do anything with it.
Lot J is dead. The funds for it were supposed to come from the JEA sale but that has blown up beyond on my wildest dreams.
Plan A:
Sell JEA in shady deal
Sign JEA to long-term lease at Lot J
Huge cash payment to Jags
Plan B:
Everyone goes to jail
Jags relocate
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 12:28:09 PM
The funds for it were supposed to come from the JEA sale
Do you have anything to substantiate this claim?
Quote from: Peter Griffin on January 13, 2020, 12:45:20 PM
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 12:28:09 PM
The funds for it were supposed to come from the JEA sale
Do you have anything to substantiate this claim?
I think Kerry's right here. I would have suspected Lot J funds to come from the sale of JEA.
Quote from: JaxAvondale on January 13, 2020, 12:49:23 PM
Quote from: Peter Griffin on January 13, 2020, 12:45:20 PM
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 12:28:09 PM
The funds for it were supposed to come from the JEA sale
Do you have anything to substantiate this claim?
I think Kerry's right here. I would have suspected Lot J funds to come from the sale of JEA.
I suspect the anticipation of the sale might have made the city more willing to commit the funds to Lot J, but I do not believe it will dry up just because JEA is off the table. Without anything in particular stating that Lot J was directly tied to the sale, I see it as a stretch to say the lack of a sale will sink it.
Quote from: Peter Griffin on January 13, 2020, 12:55:05 PM
Quote from: JaxAvondale on January 13, 2020, 12:49:23 PM
Quote from: Peter Griffin on January 13, 2020, 12:45:20 PM
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 12:28:09 PM
The funds for it were supposed to come from the JEA sale
Do you have anything to substantiate this claim?
I think Kerry's right here. I would have suspected Lot J funds to come from the sale of JEA.
I suspect the anticipation of the sale might have made the city more willing to commit the funds to Lot J, but I do not believe it will dry up just because JEA is off the table. Without anything in particular stating that Lot J was directly tied to the sale, I see it as a stretch to say the lack of a sale will sink it.
I agree that funds will be made available for the project regardless. My point was that I agree that had a sale happened the earmarking some of those funds for Lot J seemed inevitable.
The JEA sale and Lot J are mutually exclusive.
One had nothing to do with the other.
Shad Khan has flat-out stated in the past that selling JEA is a terrible idea.
Lot J - assuming it happens - will be funded like these things are always funded. There might be a decent chunk of cash from the general fund (which we can afford, but at the expense of other capital improvement projects), but you've gotta think it'll be largely debt-financed, off the back of wild projections about how much incremental revenue the development will generate down the line.
The Shipyards/Lot J talk significantly predates any talk of a JEA sale, and there's no universe where all parties involved are engaging in years of negotiations based on a dubious plan to see the public utility, which would ultimately require a public vote.
Agree with the above that, realistically, we probably would have seen some of the JEA proceeds go toward Lot J/Shipyards (Curry stated that his plan was to use the proceeds to pay off the city's debts, with no portion of the JEA money going to the stadium district, but by proxy of paying off the debts, we'd obviously have more cash in the general fund to finance cap improvement projects), but I don't believe for a second that Lot J was ever predicated solely on a JEA sale.
why do you suppose it is that only news4jax has reported the impending demolition of B2? Not a peep from any other outlet that I have seen. One would think that this is a major developing story, wouldn't one?
^ nobody was shot at B2?
You guys can believe whatever you want, but the fact is Lot J is still a parking lot and the ramps to the Hart Bridge are still open to traffic. I would love to hear the theories as to why if it isn't because of JEA.
Quote from: downtownbrown on January 13, 2020, 02:56:03 PM
why do you suppose it is that only news4jax has reported the impending demolition of B2? Not a peep from any other outlet that I have seen. One would think that this is a major developing story, wouldn't one?
I actually saw those 'Condemned" sign at least a few weeks ago. Don't know why it is news now.
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 03:25:21 PM
I would love to hear the theories as to why if it isn't because of JEA.
Because the design of the new roadway was JUST FINISHED and construction hasn't started so as not to interfere with the football season, and we don't even have architecture completed on the proposed buildings.
You do realize that architecture and engineering take time and precede construction, right?
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 03:27:23 PM
Quote from: downtownbrown on January 13, 2020, 02:56:03 PM
why do you suppose it is that only news4jax has reported the impending demolition of B2? Not a peep from any other outlet that I have seen. One would think that this is a major developing story, wouldn't one?
I actually saw those 'Condemned" sign at least a few weeks ago. Don't know why it is news now.
A resident of Berkman, who is friends with several reporters, brought it to the attention of News4Jax over the weekend. Hence, a 'story'. That same resident called in the original code violation complaint.
Berkman II won't be coming down anytime soon. Most of the code violations cited are minor (trash, fencing, concrete rubbish in plain view, etc)
The actual
Quote from: Peter Griffin on January 13, 2020, 03:28:55 PM
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 03:25:21 PM
I would love to hear the theories as to why if it isn't because of JEA.
Because the design of the new roadway was JUST FINISHED and construction hasn't started so as not to interfere with the football season, and we don't even have architecture completed on the proposed buildings.
You do realize that architecture and engineering take time and precede construction, right?
We probably need to take this up in the Lot J thread.
Quote from: fieldafm on January 13, 2020, 03:38:10 PM
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 03:27:23 PM
Quote from: downtownbrown on January 13, 2020, 02:56:03 PM
why do you suppose it is that only news4jax has reported the impending demolition of B2? Not a peep from any other outlet that I have seen. One would think that this is a major developing story, wouldn't one?
I actually saw those 'Condemned" sign at least a few weeks ago. Don't know why it is news now.
A resident of Berkman, who is friends with several reporters, brought it to the attention of News4Jax over the weekend. Hence, a 'story'. That same resident called in the original code violation complaint.
Berkman II won't be coming down anytime soon. Most of the code violations cited are minor (trash, fencing, concrete rubbish in plain view, etc)
Thanks.
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 03:44:54 PM
Quote from: Peter Griffin on January 13, 2020, 03:28:55 PM
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 03:25:21 PM
I would love to hear the theories as to why if it isn't because of JEA.
Because the design of the new roadway was JUST FINISHED and construction hasn't started so as not to interfere with the football season, and we don't even have architecture completed on the proposed buildings.
You do realize that architecture and engineering take time and precede construction, right?
We probably need to take this up in the Lot J thread.
You're the one who brought it up in this thread in the first place, but OK pal
It's really just a ploy by Curry to demo the building, assess the owner for the cost, eventually sieze it for non payment, then give it to Kahn.
Duh.
Quote from: Kerry on January 13, 2020, 03:25:21 PM
You guys can believe whatever you want, but the fact is Lot J is still a parking lot and the ramps to the Hart Bridge are still open to traffic. I would love to hear the theories as to why if it isn't because of JEA.
The reason is they were waiting on football season to be over, as was planned all along. Both projects are on schedule and will be starting very soon... in fact there are workers on site as we speak in lot J...
^ rumor has it the City/FDOT only got one bid for the Hart Bridge ramp demolition project - so there as yet may be a delay.
Quote from: Lostwave on January 14, 2020, 09:02:25 AMThe reason is they were waiting on football season to be over, as was planned all along. Both projects are on schedule and will be starting very soon... in fact there are workers on site as we speak in lot J...
I don't doubt it for the ramps, but is there even a schedule for Lot J? To the best of my knowledge, despite the "Mission Accomplished" press conference, all anybody has officially seen is a broad term sheet. A proper development agreement still needs to make its way through the DIA (which seems to be much more gun-shy about rubber-stamping projects post-JEA), City Council, and the finance committee to figure out where we're going to find $220 million. You'd think that a project like this would be subject to DDRB review as well.
Late Q2 kind of feels like a best case scenario in terms of breaking ground, just based on the magnitude of the ask and the scrutiny the full development agreement will almost certainly come under in light of recent events.
I just don't know how
anything beyond the ongoing environmental testing can be scheduled at this point when there's no agreement between the city and the Jags in place.
I'm excited to see some development near the stadium, particularly the bar/restaurant component, but how long have we been hearing about it for?
2015 State of the Franchise - Shad Khan unveils his Shipyards plan
2016 State of the Franchise - Shad Khan unveils his modified Shipyards plan (absent ramp removal)
2017 State of the Franchise - Shad Khan unveils another Shipyards plan (ramps removed)
2018 State of the Franchise - Shad Khan unveils his Lot J Plan
2019 State of the Franchise - Shad Khan reveals a slightly altered Lot J Plan
Kind of feels like we're tracking toward another set of more detailed Lot J renderings for State of the Franchise 2020, with major work starting over the summer, if not later, assuming that the city approves the agreement.
So Berkman II has been condemned by COJ. Can you imagine living in Berkman I and looking at that POS for the last decade? SMH
actually a decade and a third
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on January 14, 2020, 03:49:34 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on January 14, 2020, 11:21:17 AM
So Berkman II has been condemned by COJ. Can you imagine living in Berkman I and looking at that POS for the last decade? SMH
And having paid the original asking prices? Ouch. Probably followed the guidance of some shifty real estate agent who sung a tune about the amazing potential :)
Read in the voice of the GEICO Pinocchio:
When I look around Jax I see nothing but potential. Lot J has potential, The Landing has potential, The Shipyards has potential, The District has potential.....
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on January 14, 2020, 03:49:34 PM
Quote from: MusicMan on January 14, 2020, 11:21:17 AM
So Berkman II has been condemned by COJ. Can you imagine living in Berkman I and looking at that POS for the last decade? SMH
And having paid the original asking prices? Ouch. Probably followed the guidance of some shifty real estate agent who sung a tune about the amazing potential :)
You mean to tell me, that someone that was either a) sitting at home doing nothing b) was perhaps teaching a few Pilates classes or c) sat at a desk processing paperwork for minimal money, and one day decided to take a weekend crash course to become a real estate agent... who has a 90% chance of leaving the 'profession' within two years... ISN'T a keen expert on real estate investments?
Weird ;)
Potential
For some reason, POTENTIAL never/ not Energized, Realized, Accommodated, Nurtured, Properly Shelved,Nuanced,Guarded.
For Starters.
Quote from: fieldafm on January 14, 2020, 04:06:48 PM
You mean to tell me, that someone that was either a) sitting at home doing nothing b) was perhaps teaching a few Pilates classes or c) sat at a desk processing paperwork for minimal money, and one day decided to take a weekend crash course to become a real estate agent... who has a 90% chance of leaving the 'profession' within two years... ISN'T a keen expert on real estate investments?
Weird ;)
Come on Mike.... You can't just do it over a weekend. You have to take an online course AND THEN the weekend crash course. It's not for everyone.
I'm not sure the point you are making. You are blaming Realtors for a Developers failure to make good on his promise? That's like blaming the residents of San Marco for Regency's inability to get something off the ground at their site on Atlantic and Hendricks.
You should take it up with Bill Watson, Chairman of Watson Realty Corp. That charlatan and his employees ONLY closed $3,444,000,000 in sales last year. Evidently there are a few people out there who think they are doing a good job.
Exactly how were the Berkman buyer's deceived ?
Bill Watson never missed an opportunity to exploit his employees or his customers.
Is it any worse than the average subdivision sales pitch?
Berkman I was completed at the top of the market before it crashed. In fairness, pretty much all real estate crashed along with it so why single it out. Such cycles are normal and buyers should always be prepared. It's an inherent risk to real estate and most any other type of investment.
As to looking at Berkman II, what was holding the City back from condemning it years ago? Maybe Berkman I residents pushed for that and the City failed to go along. I know it has been discussed for years.
Also, City Hall gets both credit and blame for overstating the prospects for Downtown. It's done so for decades as discussed regularly on the Jaxson. Pity the poor Jax newbie that buys into such hype thinking Jax will revitalize Downtown on the same timeline as the rest of America.
By the way, the Realtors I have dealt with have been surprisingly candid about properties I have had interest in. Sometimes, the Buyers don't want to hear it or lack a curiosity for factual information and a Realtor may back off. And, like any profession, I am sure there are some bad Realtors but that is a given when there are tens of thousands in the profession. In the end, whether it is a Realtor, lawyer, doctor, engineer, CPA, consultant, etc., the client should always be doing their own due diligence with respect to the information they are presented with and, thanks to the Internet, its easier than ever.
I wonder what's the financial gap between incentivizing Berkman 2 into apartments vs demo? The hotel, mini amusement park was a bit over-the-top gimmick. For a fraction of the money we're prepared to give Khan for a Jax Landing-lite, it seems a long vacant waterfront site like Berkman could have been figured out years ago.
^Yes, I'd have to do some digging to confirm but I thought the incentives request around that time was closer to $5 million than the $36 million discussed for last year's failed hotel/mini amusement park plan.
That wou
Quote from: thelakelander on January 15, 2020, 07:53:06 PM
^Yes, I'd have to do some digging to confirm but I thought the incentives request around that time was closer to $5 million than the $36 million discussed for last year's failed hotel/mini amusement park plan.
That would explain why the city didn't go for it. A project that only needs $5 million in incentives, is never going to be a game changer.
"I think Mikes point ( I may be speaking out of turn)was that just because some one has managed to pass the "rigorous" qualification to become a real estate agent, it does not make them an expert on real estate. I happen to agree but could say the same for many "professionals"."
Have you seen Blake Bortles throw a football.....? Dude walked outta here with over $17,000,000........
"By the way, the Realtors I have dealt with have been surprisingly candid about properties I have had interest in. Sometimes, the Buyers don't want to hear it or lack a curiosity for factual information and a Realtor may back off. And, like any profession, I am sure there are some bad Realtors but that is a given when there are tens of thousands in the profession. In the end, whether it is a Realtor, lawyer, doctor, engineer, CPA, consultant, etc., the client should always be doing their own due diligence with respect to the information they are presented with and, thanks to the Internet, its easier than ever."
Sounds about right. The fact remains, NO ONE EVER was forced to use a Realtor. People choose to. And they have a lot of choices. Or they can go FSBO. As an industry, real estate sales is under constant pressure from many sources, and if you suck at it you probably won't make it. Like many industries, it's word of mouth and repeat customers (like a restaurant) that brings success.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/16/dia-ceo-berkman-ii-gets-interest-from-prospective.html?ana=e_me_set1&j=90444711&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTURnMVpUYzNNVEExTnpaaiIsInQiOiJJQkUxTW5DR0Z6SnVDSnJqajdcL3llcEFLd1ZGd2RYblVDd05LTWw2czR1ZEtrRzBaXC9mc2F4Z292Z0JUMFRDZzhpOTVaUWROWTJ6Mm9QeE0zUFlSenYwRnQzQUNnVHVTWXBKXC9TcTVVTjZYU0s2SFNuY2I3aERlUjlKNGJzWnlQSCJ9
so the "condemned" signs were leverage to get potential buyers to the close....
Quote from: downtownbrown on January 16, 2020, 09:14:37 AM
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/16/dia-ceo-berkman-ii-gets-interest-from-prospective.html?ana=e_me_set1&j=90444711&t=Morning&mkt_tok=eyJpIjoiTURnMVpUYzNNVEExTnpaaiIsInQiOiJJQkUxTW5DR0Z6SnVDSnJqajdcL3llcEFLd1ZGd2RYblVDd05LTWw2czR1ZEtrRzBaXC9mc2F4Z292Z0JUMFRDZzhpOTVaUWROWTJ6Mm9QeE0zUFlSenYwRnQzQUNnVHVTWXBKXC9TcTVVTjZYU0s2SFNuY2I3aERlUjlKNGJzWnlQSCJ9
so the "condemned" signs were leverage to get potential buyers to the close....
That is almost an LVT strategy.
Obviously, Lori Boyer has known about this deal for quite a while. So the gesture of condemning the building is purely theatrical if not tactical.
I don't see how this leverages anything.
Imagine the city negotiating with an investor, and having difficulty agreeing to terms. So the city says, "FU, I'll condemn the MF." It's a futile and stupid gesture (Animal House) and therefore seems likely to me.
The property has been condemned during the periods it was under the ownership of various entities controlled by the Harbor Companies, Choate Construction (Harbor's GC), Ohde Construction and now Barrington Development.
This is nothing new.
The newest red tag is for various, mostly minor, issues. Fines of less than $100k aren't really going to move the needle much for a developer looking at a spend that would likely be at a minimum, North of $50 million.
Quote from: sanmarcomatt on January 15, 2020, 07:40:42 PM
Quote from: thelakelander on January 15, 2020, 07:30:53 PM
I wonder what's the financial gap between incentivizing Berkman 2 into apartments vs demo? The hotel, mini amusement park was a bit over-the-top gimmick. For a fraction of the money we're prepared to give Khan for a Jax Landing-lite, it seems a long vacant waterfront site like Berkman could have been figured out years ago.
Didn't some developer want to do that 5 years ago but the city didn't kick in enough incentives? I could be misremembering...so many times the City screws up and ends up paying more later for worse results it's hard to keep it straight.
It is hard to keep straight, as the redevelopment of the property was held in limbo for about a decade while various lawsuits related to the 2007 parking garage collapse went through due process.
Choate, the original General Contractor for the original developer (David Berkman's Harbor Companies), finally took clear title to the property in 2014. Choate had been seeking a new developer to take over and let them finish construction since at least 2008. Those efforts were complicated due to ownership issues, potential liability, etc from those lawsuits (and an OSHA investigation).
In anticipation of getting the site ready for a new market-based redevelopment, a rezoning was applied for in 2017 (?)... but no formal incentive package was approved at that time.
The only 'new' formal incentive package (apart from the original incentive package approved in 2006) was the $36 million boondoggle approved by the DIA (with less than 30 minutes discussion) from the crooks at Barrington Development (buddies of a close associate of a certain public official)... which was later withdrawn before City Council approval was given after some 'nefarious' journalists did the basic due diligence, that neither the Mayor's office, DIA nor City Council refused to do, that would reveal Barrington's spotty track records.
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/blog/2012/10/chinese-investor-eyeing-opportunities.html
It's probably this guy....
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/16/dia-ceo-berkman-ii-gets-interest-from-prospective.html
Funny how no one is even remotely interested in the "two buyers". Group eye roll....
Quote from: downtownbrown on January 20, 2020, 11:36:52 AM
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/16/dia-ceo-berkman-ii-gets-interest-from-prospective.html
Funny how no one is even remotely interested in the "two buyers". Group eye roll....
Probably people with pending illegal parking lot cases.
Quote from: downtownbrown on January 20, 2020, 11:36:52 AM
https://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2020/01/16/dia-ceo-berkman-ii-gets-interest-from-prospective.html
Funny how no one is even remotely interested in the "two buyers". Group eye roll....
Only in Jax do we get excited about "interested buyers". In reality, that means very little at this point. Heck, I hope there's more than two potential buyers. The higher the number of potential buyers, the better the chance that something materializes months or years down the road.
damned right we get interested in interested buyers for the Berkman. How interested? Where are we in the process? Have they made an offer? What do they want from the city? What do they want to do with the carcass? I don't think "Meh..." displays quite enough hope and curiosity.
It's "meh" because they clearly aren't that far along in the process. If there were, "interested buyers" would not be used to describe them. There would be a lot more detail provided. Until that time comes, it's no different from the average person being "interested" in buying a house. Until there is an offer made and accepted or framework of some deal in place, there's no real news to report.