Aldermen Give Hotel Project Another Reprieve

Developer says a proposed hotel complex at Howell and College avenues can only go forward with investment from city, but city officials say it puts public money at risk.

The developer of a proposed hotel complex at College and Howell avenues has been given another six weeks to ease the city's worries about the $4.5 million it plans invest into the project. The delay was the second in many months after top Oak Creek officials in June recommended withdrawing the funds because they do not believe enough protections are in place. "This is public money that we have. We need to secure it the best we can," City Administrator Gerald Peterson said. The city has "few guarantees if the project doesn't move forward successfully that the city's money would be returned in a timely manner," Peterson said. Some Oak Creek aldermen, however, said they project has big potential and they want to see if developer Greg Trapani …

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Proposed Hotel Development Still Under Scrutiny

City officials again recommending the Oak Creek Common Council drop its financial support for the proposed complex at College and Howell avenues.

Back in June, the Oak Creek Common Council asked city officials to give it another try with the developer of a proposed hotel complex and see if the project could still move forward despite the developer's financial difficulties. But it doesn't appear more time solved anything, as city officials are again recommending the council withdraw its financial support for the proposed development at College and Howell avenues. "This recommendation is based upon the inability of the developer and his partners to provide adequate assurances, protections and safeguards to the city for the timely return and repayment of city funds," City Administrator Gerald Peterson said in a report to council members. The council had pledged $4.5 million in …

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Aldermen Want More Time For Hotel Project

It's been a struggle to get construction on Four Points by Sheraton hotel started, but council says proposal has too many benefits to give up on just yet.

Oak Creek aldermen aren't ready to give up on a proposed Four Points by Sheraton development just yet. The council has given developer Greg Trapani 45 more days to meet with the city and try reaching an agreement so that Oak Creek keeps its financial incentives on the table. Aldermen went against the recommendation of Oak Creek city staff, which in the face of the developer's ongoing financing struggles, had recommended the council withdraw its support for $4.5 million in city financing. Council members said the proposal planned for the corner of College and Howell avenues would bring many positives and want to give the developer more time to make it happen. "Given the scope of this project, the potential of this project, we owe it to give…

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Editor's Notebook

Sheraton Hotel Development Stalls

The Oak Creek Common Council approved plans about a year ago, but construction has yet to begin and for-sale signs are back up on the property.

It was a year ago at this time when a proposal for a Four Points by Sheraton hotel and a large parking lot for the airport surfaced. The development was planned near the corner of College and Howell avenues. After the council approved a package that included $4.5 million in developer assistance, the project was said to be "full speed ahead." But today, there is a distinct lack of a Four Points by Sheraton hotel at the College and Howell intersection, at the least the last time I checked around noon Monday. Or even any sign of impending construction. In fact, "for sale" signs were put back up at that corner sometime earlier this year. The developer for the project, Greg Trapani of Syner G Hotel Group, didn't return a call or e-mail seeking …

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Developer Wants Changes to Sheraton Hotel Plans

Hotels would be built on College Avenue instead of Howell.

The developer of a planned Four Points by Sheraton hotel and long-term parking lot at College and Howell wants some changes to the plans previously approved by the city. But after running into resistance at the Oak Creek Plan Commission's meeting Tuesdsay night, the plans may stay status quo. Under the revised plans, the hotel, which will include a restaurant and conference center, would be built on College Avenue, rather than Howell as originally proposed. An 1,830-space parking lot, meanwhile, would be built facing Howell Avenue instead of College. The lot will be for people using Mitchell International Airport and include a valet service. Greg Trapani of Syner G Hotel Group, the company developing the facility, acknolwedged the changes …

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