Redevelopment of Divine Lorraine Hotel Not Imminent, Philadelphia Council President Reveals
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- One week after Mayor Nutter touted possible new life for a shuttered North Broad Street icon (see previous story), City Council president Darrell Clarke says still there's a way to go before any possible deal.
The building is the once-grand Divine Lorraine Hotel.
Clarke won't divulge who may be interested in buying the Divine Lorraine building, which is in his 5th District, but he confirms there is interest:
"We're hoping within the next couple of weeks or months that we hear something very positive about the actual signing of some agreement," he told KYW Newsradio today.
Clarke admits he is hesitant to say much more because the negotiations are ongoing.
"At the end of the day, we have to wait until the deal is consummated by a private developer and the current owner, and then the city will then be prepared to look at and review the project proposal," he said.
Clarke anticipates that any deal would be contingent on a city contribution.
An earlier plan that fell through included about $2 million in city money for an affordable-housing component.
The Divine Lorraine dates from the 19th century, and was once the premier North Philadelphia hotel. It was shuttered ten years ago.
