Developer Eric Blumenfeld–who now owns the Divine Lorraine and will apparently do the same NOTHING with it that everyone else has–is having a bad couple of years. His father, who held the key to his credibility, passed away. He’s been going through an ugly divorce. He’s out of his Gladwyne mansion, where he kept his expensive car collection, and has been seen around town in an unflattering hat that looks like this one.

And, to make matters worse, Blumenfeld’s former business partner Ron Caplan has threatened to collect on a defaulted loan to the tune of $37 million, though Blumenfeld’s lawyer challenges Caplan’s authority to do so. Still, the legal battle between the two continues on other fronts, a sad turn of events for two men who were once so close.

While we acknowledge Blumenfeld’s various challenges, including the tornado-like rumors of his utter brokeness, and feel sympathy–because there is blood running through veins over here–there’s more at stake than one individual: There’s a major landmark building that was supposed to be the cornerstone of a neighborhood revitalization. Mayor Nutter said as much in February 2012 at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce, and before Blumenfeld purchased the building, Deputy Mayor for Commerce and Economic Development Alan Greenberger: “The mayor and I are determined to get it done because, if not, it’s a big, tall billboard of blight.”

Well, guess what? IT’S A BIG, TALL BILLBOARD OF BLIGHT.

So what does Blumenfeld and his hat have to say about it? Here’s what he told the Inquirer’s Joe DeStefano: “There is nothing that’s gonna stop me from my plans to develop the Divine Lorraine.”

Blumenfeld did not return a call for comment. Thankfully, the below video is available to speak for him.

UPDATE: Pressed by Caplan for $37M, Blumenfeld says ‘nothing gonna stop’ Divine Lorraine rebuild [Inquirer]

Divine Lorraine revitalization part of mayor’s business plan [Metro]