Nash’s Hole Is Bad Strategy

We can’t help but sympathize with developer Terry Nash, who is immersed in controversy over his 10,000-square-foot lot at Front and F streets. But we think he has adopted a bad strategy in his attempt to fight City Hall.

Nash wants to build a $6-million retail-office project between the Horton Plaza shopping mall and the Meridian condominium tower. His plans won approval from the Planning Commission and Centre City Development Corp.

But City Council members, sitting as the city’s redevelopment agency, were persuaded by Meridian developer Walter Smyk that the block is better suited for more residential units. The council voted 5-2 to have the land condemned and purchased by the city.

An angry Nash last weekend responded by building barricades and beginning excavation for his proposed seven-story project. It’s unclear whether he had proper permits to do so, and it’s unclear what his motives are.

So far, the only thing in the whole dispute between the city and Nash that has made much sense is his statement that, “I’ve postured, they’ve postured--we haven’t really talked.”