A Kentucky developer has confirmed its interest in renovating the Hill Building into a hotel – "with significant city and county assistance."

In a statement this afternoon, 21c Museum Hotels of Louisville said it had been approached by Greenfire Development, the Durham company that bought the 17-story landmark from SunTrust Bank in 2006.

According to the statement, 21c wants a $5 million public incentive and will come up with $40 million on its own for the conversion.

City Manager Tom Bonfield said an agreement with 21c is "in play."

However, in a memo to county commissioners last week, Deputy County Manager Marqueta Wilson said she had told 21c President Craig Greenberg that Durham County was "not prepared" to meet his request for $2 million. She said city officials taking part in a conference call also said they were "not prepared to offer the full amount requested."

In 2010, the city approved a $4.2 million incentive and the county $1 million for Greenfire, providing Greenfire began construction work by July 31, 2011 and completed the project by July 31, 2013. Greenfire met the first deadline by obtaining demolition permits for interior work, but has demonstrated little if any progress since then.

Bonfield said the 2010 incentives are still technically on the table, but it would be impossible for Greenfire to meet the completion deadline.
 

CHARLOTTE -- Shortly after Terrell Manning put a black "Belk Bowl Champions" hat on his head to commemorate N.C. State's 31-24 bowl win over Louisville on Tuesday night, the junior linebacker started talking about next season.

Seven starters on each side of the ball, including defensive stars in Manning and cornerback David Amerson, and quarterback Mike Glennon, are scheduled to return for a Wolfpack team that won six of its final eight games to finish 8-5 in 2011.

“We’ve got a lot of good guys coming back, and we’ve got a big opening game with Tennessee, so we’ve got a lot to look forward to,” said Manning, who had an interception and five tackles against the Cardinals.

Updated 12:17 a.m.

CHARLOTTE — There was no such thing as the easy way for N.C. State's football team in the 2011 season.

So when it took a 21-point lead in the third quarter, you got the feeling Louisville would make the Belk Bowl interesting.

The Wolfpack held on for a 31-24 win over the Cardinals in front of 58,427 fans at Bank of America Stadium on Tuesday night.

Ravenscroft junior forward Anton Gill has announced today his commitment to play basketball at Louisville.

Gill is one of the nation’s Top 50 players in the class of 2013, and is ranked No. 48 by ESPN.

“I really feel like Louisville is the perfect fit,” Gill said. “I like the college, the facilities, the town, Coach (Rick) Pitino and Louisville’s style of play. I really believe there is no place I would rather be and that’s why I decided to commit now.”

Last year as a sophomore, Gill was named to the All-State team and helped lead the Ravens to a 24-4 record, the TISAC Conference title, and a semifinal appearance in the 2011 NCISAA 3A state tournament.

Updated 5:38 p.m.

CHAPEL HILL - At first, North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner said, he just missed open receivers against a Louisville defense that put tremendous pressure on him.

But after being held to two first downs and 62 yards in a dreadful first half, Renner and the Tar Heels’ offense bounced back after halftime Saturday in a 14-7 win at Kenan Stadium.

Redshirt freshman Giovani Bernard ran for 79 of his 109 yards after halftime, becoming the first North Carolina player with four straight 100-yard rushing performances since Ethan Horton had five in a row in 1984.

North Carolina’s defense prevented Louisville from scoring until 42 seconds remained in the fourth quarter, narrowly missing its first shutout since 1999. And Renner directed two second-half touchdown drives against a defense that led the nation in tackles for loss with nine per game entering this week.

Rodney Purvis, one of the top high school basketball players in the country, plans to announce his college decision on Friday.

Upper Room Christian Academy junior is no longer committed to Louisville.

Rodney Purvis is no longer committed to Louisville

Upper Room Christian junior affirms his commitment to Louisville.

North Carolina has found a replacement for Tennessee on future football schedules.

UNC will play Louisville in 2011 and 2012, a late addition to the schedules after Tennessee canceled a home-and-home series between the two schools in August.