Wednesday, June 04, 2008

What's the Rush?

This started out in the comments, but I got a little long-winded (shocking), so here you go.

Everyone seems anxious about losing CVS. But what's the harm in using a few months -- and only a few -- to see if a bigger plan (with CVS) can be had?

Consider the cash involved for everyone.

The land owners are looking at a huge score. Would anyone believe their bluff if they said they were walking away?

The developer also has big bucks on the table. This might be the biggest issue in that this particular developer might walk away, and then no "CVS plus" developer is found. But if no "CVS plus" is found, would this developer really leave millions on the table if invited back?

Finally, there's CVS. They already have an outpost a mere couple hundred yards away. But clearly, they believe there's more money to be made on the other side of the tracks. And that's what this is about in the end for CVS, money. Someone said it in the comments over the last week. CVS could give a darn about community building and boosting downtown and all that. They just want to make more money. This fits that mission. If "CVS plus" meets all their standards in terms of space and parking -- and why wouldn't it -- there shouldn't be a problem.

Simply, there's too much money on the table for all the parties involved. There is, certainly, some risk here. But considering the millions of dollars involved, you have to think the risk is minimal. If a "CVS plus" isn't looking good by summer's end, bring on the stand-alone CVS. But the money involved all but guarantees that the parties will stay in this -- or come running back if they say they're walking away.

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