Cypress Group In Default?

     Time could be running out for the Cypress Group.  According to the Lake Charles City Council, the development group missed an important deadline in its plans for downtown development.  City council members say the Cypress Group failed to meet the November 4th deadline to submit their pre-application to HUD for funding that would be used to partially finance the project, and that puts them in default of their agreement.  Last night, the council voted to introduce an ordinance at their December 13th meeting giving Mayor Roach the ability to terminate the agreement with Cypress Group, should they fail to submit the application.  What do you think?  Should the city pull the plug on the Cypress Group? 

Comments

[garth]

Although I am totally for the development of the downtown area I feel that this group has been given enough chances already. Am I not understanding the definition of "deadline" ? Why set one if you don't live by it. I say, " Cancel the agreement now and look for a quality developer" Wait, you don't need to cancel it, the Cyprus Group already did by missing their " deadline ".

[AWAKENED]

What should be of concern is when the voters of Texas "terminate" the massive funds flowing into our fair city's coffers by electing "gaming" in their state. It's coming.....

[jock martin]

Failing to meet one deadline is pretty much like giving permission to continue to fail on the schedule. A reason was not submitted, but it would have to be an unavoidable issue and preapproved by the city council if it were my project

[Concerned Citizen]

I wished Texas would vote for gambling! Then the state would realize where the jobs comes from! We had refineries before gambling and after gambling and the majority of the money in this area has allways come from the refineries. We could loose all the casino's and I wouldn't loose a bit of sleep! As far as the Cypress Group and Lake Charles thinking they got to bend over backwards trying to beg anyone to come put up some stupid theme, if they new how to run their city and start putting their focus on the things that matter, rather than getting drunk and watching football games, they'd have businesses wanting to start up in Lake Charles! Think I would want to start a business in a failing area? Who would want to open a business where the crime continues to rise despite the police thinking it's going down. Just because the police spend more time in Mc Donalds and their police station watching the game doesn't mean the crime goes away! Focus on the city and the businesses will come without you having to bribe them! Tax Payers need to wake up and elect officials who really have their interest at heart!

[Buck]

HELL YES!!!!!!! And as long as we are looking at "pull the plug" why not include the LC City Council and the Mayor too. This group of idiots, has not lived up to their responsibility as elected officials of this city. They continue to sign contracts in desperation with development companies that have very little financial resources and questionable past business practices. We need new people in city hall that can give the citizens responsible leadership. Until this happens, we will continue to see the same old crap.

[Mike]

I can't imagine that the city would enter into a contract with the Cypress Group that didn't include a performance clause. I don't know what's in the contract but I imagine that Cypress Group is in violation of that contract. It also appears that Cypress Group is on shakey financial ground. If that's the case then the city should never have considered doing business with them in the first place. Cancel the contract and start over with a reputable and financially stable developer.

[Swamp Charly]

Why is it that only disreputable "developers" show up for the Lakefront ....and why did we allow the City to build a marina for the rich folks out there?
Again and again we are being conned by a Mayor and a City Council only looking for # 1 ...it is time to set rules of ethical conduct and not waste taxpayers money!!!!

[CTtcg]

This is a shame. This group of developers has yet again missed the mark. It's time for them to go.

I agree too that it's time for Mayor Roach and his administration to go too. We need a new mayor who will lead this city to new heights. What exactly has he done in the ten years he's been in office?

[goody two shoes]

It's not the Mayor you goobers. It's the sustem. We have to wadee through all the bidders to get to the right one. See what's on the table. get as much as can be offered. com on give the guy a break....

[Micky]

Why is this even a question? Sounds pretty simple to me.

[Buck]

TOO GOODY TWO SHOES. We are not the "goobers" here! How many breaks are you willing to give these elected officials? When do we put their feet to the fire and hold them responsible for their actions? They knew the problem from the start with this company and the other bidder for lake front development. For some reasion that remains a mystery, the council and the mayor have decided to align themselves to these developers. The "system" you reference is not broke, it is the abuse of this system by of local officials that is the problem.

[Da Gardner]

Buck you hit the nail on the head.
Goody Two Shoes, do you ever read the non sense that you type? Please tell me what elementary school you go to so I can contact your teacher and remove your computer privileges...
As for the mayor this all started when they touted the 2008 bond program that was supposed to fix the streets and drainage systems, well I STILL see 2008 Bond Program signs up YET no damn improvement last time I did the math we are at the 2 year mark. And when a city lets the tax collector charge what 40K? on a gov. charge card and go unchecked, WE can not expect the city leaders to be any better. Vote the whole bunch out.
I was in Leesville awhile back, and there was an interviw with the mayor of that city who said "I would expect the General Counsil to put me in jail, if i submitted a budget for the city that was in the RED" So I asked my self why did they let the Roach do it.
DA. GARDNER for Mayor, 1. I will not submit a budget in the red. 2. I will not accept personal financial considerations when awarding a contract. 3. I would over see all purchases made by the city for the city. This blank check stuff would be history.

[Da Gardner]

R-Tard..You mentioned medical marijuana. Do you know a doctor that prescribes it?? sure would save me a lot of money from my government check, which in turn means more cold beer. Speaking of beer have your tried Mac Farlens? 3 pages of food 5 pages of beer my kind of place.
DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR.

[Swamp Charly]

goody two shoes , is the typical "supporter no-matter what" of the Mayor and his failed administration....give the man a break ? like Charlie Rangel's plea for mercy?....
The Mayor has been in politics for too long ...he must do the right thing , resign ,return to his private law practice and give someone else a break!!!

[Da Gardner]

Can you believe they just want to censure rangle, the man should go to jail, or at the very least lose all benefits due him including retirement.
DA GARDNER FOR MAYOR

[Bill Downs]

da gardner if you're for mayor, sign your real name and quit speaking out in cognito. oh wait thats not just you thats every negative person on these sound offs. its easy to bash people when you dont put a name to it.

[moi]

KPLC needs to "raise the bar" on whom they hire....

A dumb question deserves a dumb answer.. What I think or what anybody else thinks is immaterial....