Yes, I don't see another hotel coming for the Time & Temp building. Perhaps Redfern can create apartments in the manner they did for the old Mercy Hospital building. For an immediate incentive to do this, give them an even larger tax break. But a downtown with new hotels and apartments and condos is lacking of updated office space. I think an offer out to a mid-sized tech company (maybe from CA, of the many that are fleeing to Texas now) for a hip office remodel is a possibility with some generous tax incentives. The key is to have younger or youngish new economy workers making six figures to spend some of that money they make at the hotel bars and restaurants in town. The only aspect of the equation not needed are high priced condos, because many are second homes or ones for an older couple not contributing much in the dynamic social life for the city. One key Portland firm to do business with is arch firm Kaplan Thompson. They are re-creating an entire neighborhood in Lewiston. They have doubled their staff and are thinking out of the box with not just smart design, but Green features, tech, and community togetherness for their builds. Great architecture is far from just a pretty exterior.
