ENTREPRENEUR Errol Stewart expects public opinion on his tower proposal will be decided within a month and the project will not go ahead without broad support.
Mr Stewart said public support was vital as he did not want to build a divisive project, plus it helped with finance.
He said banks would finance any strong business plan with widespread community support and he was confident his plan met those criteria.
His plan is to convert the former grain silos on the banks of the North Esk River opposite his Seaport development to an 11-storey hotel with restaurant, bars and convention area.
He said he had already received good feedback, but public opinion would soon become clear, possibly within a few weeks.
Also yesterday, a former critic of the proposal became a supporter.
Launceston Historical Society president Marion Sargent said she initially thought the project would be too imposing on Launceston's low-rise skyline, but now liked the idea.
She said it would use existing infrastructure that was derelict and ugly to create a good vantage point to see the city without encroaching on historic areas.
Mr Stewart said the bulk of the existing structure would not alter dramatically, as the main addition to the silos to build the hotel only involved adding a top storey to house a restaurant and conference area.
He said the roof would be sloped, adding about two metres of height on one side, extending to six metres of extra height on the other side.
Also, two left wells and two sets of fire stairs would be added externally to the silos.
Mr Stewart said the verdict on public opinion would be made by the 12 Launceston City Council aldermen, as they would have to allow the sale of council land for the project, plus approve a development application and rezoning for the site.
The site would have to be rezoned from community services to mixed use for the project to proceed.
