Bryden managed to borrow enough to pay for the $188 million project through a consortium of U.S. banks and Ogden Entertainment, but could not find financing for the highway interchange.
The City of Minneapolis purchased the arena in 1995 and turned over management to Ogden Entertainment.
Mr. Bryden was able to arrange financing of the development through a partnership with Ogden Entertainment and Bruce left to allow the franchise to continue.
When mortgage holder Covanta Energy (the former Ogden Entertainment) went into receivership in 2001, Terrace was expected to pay off the whole debt.
In the end, the firm of Ogden Entertainment, a New York city facilities management firm, backed the project with a $20 million loan in exchange for a 30 year contract to manage the facility.
In 1995, the GDC was sold to New York based Ogden Entertainment.
In 1999, Ogden Entertainment decided to close the center if a buyer couild not be found.
The tree that they have so named will be perched at 1,377 feet above sea level on the observation deck, which is officially called Top of the World and managed by Ogden Entertainment.
Ogden Entertainment expects to keep the deck open this year, but may close part or all of it for a short period in 1996 for renovations.
The Port Authority renovated the observatory in 1995, then leased it to Ogden Entertainment to operate.