Donald Trump, you’re fired.
The committee overseeing the redevelopment of Denver’s historic Union Station has eliminated the famed New York developer from the mix of groups vying for the project. Also nixed was architect Timothy O’Brien.
“The Trump group and Tim O’Brien didn’t provide any of the information that was requested” in the solicitation for qualifications, said Liz Orr, the project’s master developer executive director.
Trump International Hotel & Residences Denver teamed with Bayrock Group and Barry Group Investments, formed by Odell Barry, a longtime real-estate consultant and former Denver Broncos player. The team submitted a two-page letter indicating its interest in the project.
But Trump, perhaps best known for his NBC television show “The Apprentice” and his trademark “You’re fired” phrase, still has an opportunity to be involved. One of the nine developers invited to participate in the next phase could add Trump or O’Brien to its team.
Barry said the Trump team hasn’t decided whether it will pursue partnering with another group.
“If (Trump) got a decent haircut and if he promised not to put up any gold buildings, that would be a start for us to consider working with him,” quipped Jonathan Beck, development project manager for Alexander Co. in Madison, Wis.
Proposals from the teams, due March 13, are to include detailed descriptions of the teams’ organizational structure and the roles and responsibilities of each partner. An executive oversight committee will interview the teams March 23 and 24 and narrow the field by the end of the month.
Whoever makes the cut must have deep pockets. The project already has an estimated funding shortfall of nearly $300 million for transportation infrastructure, according to a request for proposals.
The Union Station project, expected to cost $1 billion, will serve as a gateway to downtown and link the Lower Downtown and Central Platte neighborhoods.
Whether or not Trump is included, several developers indicated they would re-evaluate their teams. It’s likely some will team with one another.
“We have a strong team right now, and we may look to enhance that based on the information received from the agencies,” said Tom Wierdsma, director of development for Phelps Development of Greeley, part of the Denver Crossroads Developers LLC team. “This is a very complex public-private partnership-type project of a very long duration. It’s not a quick land deal; it’s not an entrepreneurial deal. It’s a very large public- works project that’s going to be the platform for future private development.”
George Thorn of Mile High Development said it’s too soon to tell how the teams will shake out. But he suspects national developers still in the mix will team with local groups.
“Anybody who has a good idea and a good start at a team, we would talk to,” Thorn said.
Though it’s possible Trump would be included in one of the teams, it likely would be a difficult relationship, said Byron Koste, director of the real-estate center at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
“Real estate is tough enough, and the only partners that make it work are those who get along extremely well,” he said. “People who are used to getting their way are not the best partner if you are the local partner who understands the project.”
Staff writer Margaret Jackson can be reached at 303-820-1473 or mjackson@denverpost.com.
