Goodman seeks help in getting ex-partner on board

Erin Neff

Friday, Jan. 28, 2000 | 11:16 a.m.

Developers of two plagued projects have both asked Mayor Oscar Goodman to step up to the plate for them.

Although Goodman said he isn't used to being asked for such favors, he's not shy about requesting one himself.

On Thursday, the City Centre Development Corp. board held a special meeting to consider Goodman's request that CCDC amend its articles of incorporation to change a requirement that an architect sit on the board to a mere suggestion.

Goodman wants the change so he can appoint his former law partner, Marty Keach, to the board to fill the space vacated by Tom Schoeman, president of JMA Architecture.

Board members, who expressed concern about losing an architect's specific knowledge, tabled the request and said they would reconsider it during a special meeting Feb. 1.

"I can't understand why there would be opposition," Goodman said this morning. "There's no question that he would be outstanding. Marty will get on there somehow."

Although Goodman can't understand why his request isn't being immediately honored, he hasn't necessarily warmed to the needs of others.

Last week representatives of Shepherd Hills Development Corp. asked Goodman to waive certain city fees related to their planned townhome construction project.

And Thursday morning, the CCDC asked Goodman to throw a party for a prospective tenant at the planned Neonopolis center as a sign of his support.

"There was an indication that I as the mayor should have a party for them," Goodman said Thursday during his weekly press briefing. "There was a suggestion that I do this to show that I'm supportive."

Joyce Storm, the leasing agent for Neonopolis financier Prudential Insurance Co., is in negotiations with a potential replacement tenant for Mann Theaters.

Mann withdrew as anchor tenant of the planned $99 million shopping and entertainment center downtown when its parent company declared bankruptcy.

As a result, the center that was originally supposed to open to the public on Thanksgiving weekend this year, has not even broken ground.

"Everybody wants to see it succeed," Goodman said. "I'm not sure if I'm into the party thing though."

Rob Snowden, the executive vice president of World Entertainment Centers -- the company developing Neonopolis -- said he had not heard about the party request.

"To my knowledge that's not something that occurs with leasing efforts," Snowden said. "That may have been discussed here, but I'm not aware of anything about it."

On the Shepherd Hills project, Goodman said he needed more information before agreeing to anything.

"They're trying to see whether or not I could give it an extra boost," Goodman said.