(05-17-2017 08:16 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  University leadership tends to be more risk adverse than hard bargainers to get the perfect deal.

Arkansas State was looking to build a convention center and hotel on campus and one of the developers applying was quickly cut because they had a history of some financial issues. The developer liked the market and got hooked up with some locals to build a competing facility. I'll call the developer A.

Local media and local politicians quickly rallied to the project led by A, while AState picked developer B.

A was given a number of tax incentives while B's application was rejected.

Few months later. A's project is subject to two lawsuits for unpaid bills and at least three contractor liens are filed against the project. While B's project is just awaiting one more permitting clearance to start.

Based on the scant information I've read about SDSU, my instinct is to side with SDSU.