Your analysis of the Brunswick is dead on but we need to go back just a little bit farther to realize our foolishness. When the Brunswick was torn down for redevelopment the FIRST time, then Mayor Monohan went to the most successful local lodging group at the time, the group that had opened and was operating the Host Town, Farm and Corral.
That group of private businessmen studied the potential and was willing to make an investment to open a medium sized hotel with a couple of conference rooms and a coffee shop. The response from City leaders, “thanks but no thanks”. That private group’s vision of what was feasible was not grandiose enough.
The Hilton (soon to have the old Brunswick name back) was to be part of a 3-headed behemoth with Hess and Armstrong to revitalize Lancaster City for years to come. This vision lasted 2 years. I will say that the CC did operate 3 years before default.
“Those who ignore history are bound (or doomed) to repeat it”
