"The college isn't mold," you say, icicles hanging from each word.
"Spotted lanternflies, then." At your blank look, Hayden adds, "It's an invasive bug. Isn't supposed to be here. Chews the hell out of trees."
"I know what 'invasive' means, thanks," you say. "The college can help Billington."
"Help it be a dead tree," Hayden says.
Your shoulders tighten. Your tenure chances won't be helped if Hayden blocks the theater's sale.
"I researched how college investments in downtowns go," you say. "When Wesleyan moved their bookstore to Main Street in Middletown, foot traffic went up and local businesses saw a bump in sales. In fact, Wesleyan worked with the town on a bunch of initiatives to improve downtown."
Hayden squares up to you. "Oh, like the arts center they started and then closed down?" At your surprised blinks, they say, "You're not the only one who knows how a library works. I wanted to know what happens when a college gets tired of pumping money into a town.
"Then there's gentrification. You going to run anyone whose collar's blue out of downtown? Wesleyan was more than happy to get social services moved out of downtown Middletown so 'undesirables' weren't in the way."
"If the college has more plans for downtown, push for town input on those plans," you say. "They should be following the council's lead, not striking off on their own. Or ask for a waiting period before they do anything else besides buying this building."
"Like the uni will go for that." But you can see Hayden mulling it over.
"So suggest that and then use it as a negotiating point. Push for other concessions instead. Maybe get the college to let the town have a say in renovations. Or get the business professors and students to help downtown business owners with marketing and tech outreach. Right now you've got something they want. Use that as leverage."
Hayden sucks air through their teeth. "Not bad, professor. I might can make that work." They grin. "You want I should tell the college negotiators all of this was your idea?"
You startle. You were so focused on winning them over that you didn't think through the ramifications of arguing against the college. "I'm good."
"Nah, I'm just messing with you." They punch you on your shoulder. You stagger and then bite back your annoyance at being punched, even lightly. Still, you've got Hayden on your side.
Or Vice Versa
.