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The
Omaha Convention Center Hotel:
Will Someone Please Make a Decision?
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OmahaRiverFront.com
by
Nancy Neurohr |
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Published Tuesday
July 24, 2001
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I wonder if Mayor Mike Fahey and Omaha's City Counsel members
realize that all the controversy over which hotel should be
built next to Omaha's new convention center is causing some
people to question the leadership in this city. I am personally
comparing this to my days in the corporate world where I spent
the majority of my time in endless meetings where it seemed
nothing was ever decided on permanently.
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Artist's
rendering of the proposed Omaha Convention Center Hilton
Hotel |
First, former Mayor Hal Daub made an announcement just days
before he left office that he signed a letter of intent with
Marriott to be the new anchor hotel. Then, the newly elected
Mayor Mike Fahey announced he has selected Hilton, basically
because it would be cheaper to build but not as elaborate as the
proposed Marriott. That announcement made quite a stir with the
people of Omaha as members of the city council began receiving
numerous email messages from the public expressing concern that
the hotel envisioned by Fahey doesn't have the potential to
advance the city's image.
The Marriott team has proposed building a $94
million, 28-story hotel with 528 rooms. The Hilton team is
proposing a $59 million, 7-story hotel with 400 rooms.
Hilton is also proposing the idea that they could expand later
if needed but as councilman Chuck Sigerson recently noted -
construction near the convention center would be unappealing to
convention goers plus the cost to build on later certainly would
increase over time.
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Artist's
rendering of the proposed Omaha Convention Center Marriott
Hotel |
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The Marriott Hotel team not wanting to give up yet, has promised
this week to increase its own investment from about $8 million
to up to $13 million. They presented lengthy briefings of their
proposal to the city council in hopes of staying in the running.
This is a business decision for the city of Omaha and although I
think all avenues should be explored thoroughly, the voice from
the people should also be taken into account. The majority of
the messages received by the city council have been in favor of
building the Marriott and suggests that most Omahans envision a
project that will help the city advance to a higher level.
The
matter won't go to the city council until late this year or
early next year although contracts will be negotiated in the
meantime. Maybe they should compromise the same way they did on
naming the riverfront park - build the Marriott and install
pictures of what it would've looked like if it was a Hilton in
the lobby! |
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Comments
from READERS |
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like the way the Marriott looks. It was designed by the same
people who designed the CC/arena, so it naturly looks better
with the CC. The Hilton would look very nice in the old
market, but not next to the CC. - Billy |
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