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Dauphin County to Sell Failed Hyatt Regency at the Pittsburgh Intl. Airport for $44.5 Million
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--Well that nightmare is almost over. Thirteen years after it opened its doomed hotel in Pittsburgh, the Dauphin County General Authority is expected to close on the sale of the building Thursday, according to Jay Wenger, the authority's financial advisor. A Rhode Island-based hotel operator has agreed to buy the Hyatt Regency at the Pittsburgh International Airport for $44.5 million. The bondholders have agreed to accept $8 million less than the principal still owed to them through 2029. The bondholders are also walking away from $35.6 million in theoretical interest payments they understood the unprofitable hotel would not be g
Experience Arlington Working to Attract Conventions, International Travelers to Help Fill Hotels
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--ARLINGTON -- With two major sports venues and a variety of family-friendly entertainment options, filling Arlington's hotels on the weekends isn't a problem. But to bring in more sales and hotel occupancy taxes and help grow Arlington's economy, the city needs to do more to attract business travelers and tourists during the week days, Experience Arlington President Ronnie Price said. That's why Experience Arlington, the city's contracted tourism marketer, announced several new initiatives at its annual luncheon Wednesday aimed at luring new conventions and meetings, amateur sports and even international tourists from Canada and
Chefs and Their Dream Jobs: Portland’s Ace Hotel Chef Chris DiMinno Redefining His Creatively
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--What does it take to convince a chef to leave one of Portland's most prominent restaurant perches? That was the question on many local food fans mind when Clyde Common, the chic restaurant attached to downtown Portland's Ace Hotel, announced that chef Chris DiMinno had been given an "amazing opportunity" and planned to step down in early 2014. That opportunity, it turns out, is to become a resident chef and events planner at Chris King Precision Components, the Northwest Portland bicycle parts manufacturer. Which might lead you to another question: Huh? "It's funny," DiMinno says. "I was just talking to my girlfriend's mother,
Tampa’s Soon to Open Epicurean Hotel Won’t be Affected by Scrub Island Resort & Spa Bankruptcy
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--TAMPA -- One of the lead partners in the hotly anticipated Epicurean hotel, Joe Collier and his Tampa-based Mainsail Lodging and Development Inc., could lose control of an ultra-luxury resort that sits on its own island in the British Virgin Islands. Collier on Wednesday said his battle to keep control of Scrub Island Resort, Spa and Marina won't jeopardize the Epicurean or his involvement in the foodie-themed boutique hotel, which is expected to open next month on Tampa's Howard Avenue. Scrub Island and the Epicurean are under separate ownership and don't share financing, he said. Scrub Island Resort is a condo/hotel project i
Vintro Hotel Project Leads to Ethics Charges Against Ft. Lauderdale Commissioner
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--FORT LAUDERDALE -- Commissioner Dean Trantalis sat quietly by as his fellow commissioners rejected a proposed 13-story beach hotel early Wednesday, sidelined by charges he had committed "egregious ethical violations" regarding the project. Attorney Bill Scherer told commissioners just hours before the meeting that he filed a complaint with the state Commission on Ethics, indicating that Trantalis "has attempted to use his position of public trust to steer business to his own law firm and to his former domestic partner and current business associate, Richard Smith." Trantalis, a critic of the Vintro Hotel project, said he did no
Sunshine Hotel Investments to Open New Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Ft.Walton Beach, FL Jan. 2014
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--MARY ESTHER -- Construction on the new Holiday Inn Express and Suites on Mary Esther Cut-Off is winding down and the hotel is expected to open in January. Panama City-based Sunshine Hotel Investments is developing the $8 million, 74-room hotel near Dunkin' Donuts. Construction started late last year. "We're going to be the latest and greatest in technology, comforts and design," said Charles Patel, director of development for Sunshine Hotel Investments. "We'll have the latest in Wi-Fi hardware and Internet hookups. We'll have all HDTVs and all HD channels. We'll have the latest and greatest in new fitness equipment and our busi
Massachusetts Voters Reject Foxwoods’ $1 Billion Casino Plan
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--MILFORD, Mass. -- Voters gave a resounding no to Foxwoods' plan for building a $1 billion casino just off I-495. A referendum vote Tuesday resulted in 6,361 no votes and 3,480 yes votes. The measure was defeated 65 percent to 35 percent, according to complete unofficial results. The casino measure turned out 57 percent of registered voters, which is less than the 73 percent of voters who turned out during the presidential election in 2012. "We respect the choice Milford voters made today," said Scott Butera, Foxwoods president and CEO. "Throughout this process we've gotten to know Milford and thousands of its residents. While w
Aventura Mall & The Fontainebleau Hotel Owners Withdraw Water Park Expansion Request at Last Moment
November 20, 2013
Nov. 20--A controversial plan to expand the western development boundary of Miami-Dade County to accommodate a large shopping mall, IMAX theater and water theme park was abruptly withdrawn Wednesday amid mounting pressure from detractors. Applicant Turnberry Associates, which owns Aventura Mall and the Fontainebleau hotel, accepted a motion from County Commissioner Jose "Pepe" Diaz to withdraw its application. Commissioners followed suit, voting 11-0 and agreeing to refund Turnberry 25 percent of its application fee. "I don't feel comfortable with the application as it is now," Diaz said. "I'm going to ask the applicant if possible, tha