abatement would allow Trump and Hyatt to save $56 million over forty years. If the hotel earned more than $5.5 million per year, the city government would receive half of the hotel's profits. Law professor Leon Wein filed a lawsuit, alleging that the tax abatement violated the Constitution of New York, but the New York Court of Appeals (the highest court in New York state) ruled in December 1977 that the tax abatement was constitutional. The Commodore remained largely empty after its closure, except for some stores that continued to operate at ground level. One apparel-store owner at the Commodore's base refused to vacate the site and ultimately signed a long-term lease with Trump. Penn Central agreed in September 1976 to pay the city government $5 million after it sold the hotel to Trump, and the UDC agreed to buy the hotel from Trump the same month. Trump exercised his option for the hotel in January 1977, placing a down payment of $250,000. Penn Central's trustees next asked a federal district court for permission to sell the Commodore, as the railroad was bankrupt and could not sell the hotel by itself. In December 1977, the Bowery Savings Bank agreed to lend Trump and Hyatt $45 million for the Commodore's redevelopment, and the Equitable Life Assurance Society agreed to lend $35 million. Trump and Hyatt were to provide the remaining $20 million. Ultimately, Trump received $140 million in long-term financing and short-term loans for the Hyatt Regency's renovation. Renovation In preparation for the hotel's renovation, National Content Liquidators started auctioning off about one million furnishings and decorations in January 1978. Thousands of people visited the hotel on the first day of the auction. Trump announced in May 1978 that he would start renovating the hotel. He wanted the hotel to reopen in time for the completion of Javits Center, a convention center on Manhattan's west side. HRH Construction, a division of the Starrett Housing Corporation, received the general contract for the Commodore's renovation. The firm of Gruzen & Partners was hired to redesign the hotel, and architect Der Scutt (who later designed Trump Tower) was hired as a design consultant. Trump hired Barbara Greene of GKR Design Consultants, as well as Dale Keller & Associates, to design the interiors. A groundbreaking ceremony for the Hyatt Regency took place on June 28, 1978, with Beame, mayor Ed Koch, and governor Hugh Carey