Questions Raised Over Hotel Development Plans

Is it a hotel that has a big parking lot, or a big parking lot that also has a hotel?

Is the plan for the corner of College and Howell avenues a big parking lot that also has a hotel? Or is it a hotel that also has a big parking lot? That was one of the questions raised during the Oak Creek Plan Commission's review of new plans from Syner G Hotel Group, which has proposed a Four Points by Sheraton hotel and a 1,187-space parking lot for Mitchell International Airport travelers. Earlier this summer, Syner G scaled back its plans by about one-third to help win Oak Creek Common Council approval and keep the city's financial incentives on the table. In particular, the parking lot was downsized from 1,531 spaces and will no longer be covered or abut a residential neighborhood. But some Plan Commission members feel the parking …

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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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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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