TO THE EDITOR:

The articles about the efforts of the city government regarding a hotel development at the Pope Center show all the ingredients of a disaster to the city and the county.

The first obvious question revolves around demand. What are the occupancy rates for The Red Land Motel, The Jameson Inn, and the Fitzpatrick Hotel? What are the occupancy rates for the bed and breakfast businesses in town?

From a real estate perspective the Pope Center location is plainly not a favorable site. Hotels need traffic counts, exposure, and proximity to services. It is an undeniable fact that the Pope Center side of town, while fine in its own right, does not have those fundamental ingredients necessary for success.

What seems to be the true issue is an argument about money and who is going to spend it. The business owners and investors in downtown and the commercial corridor east of town would be well served by a municipal government willing to work to improve the city for existing businesses. Thriving businesses will attract more businesses.

What we have is a city government that is flexing its spending muscles to prove they have power. What is needed is a city government that can lead.

Issues are devolving along racial lines. If that is the case, then the “its our turn” mentality will bankrupt the city, drive out the businesses, and deepen the divide. Be careful, those in power will be the most vulnerable once the dust settles and their power is exposed as greed.

Jay Leslie Jr. Atlanta Land Group