244 replies to this topic

[emerging.me]

The Holiday Inn, indeed, gets the gasface. I hope they eventually give it a total refurb or raze it to expand the research campus.

The posting in this thread has me wondering... what's the latest on the Hilton? Things have been pretty quiet and I don't remember what the status of the project was when we last heard something.

[krazeeboi]

The latest from The State is that Stevens & Wilkinson, the architectural firm that drew up the plans for a 300-room Hilton hotel, is suing the city of Columbia for $1.3 million. They are the third firm to sue to city;  Gary Realty and Garfield Traub Development, members of the local team that worked on the public deal, filed a lawsuit against the city in March for $2.1 million.

In March 2004, the city decided to seek private proposals for a convention center hotel in response to mounting public criticism of its plan to make taxpayers liable for $69.9 million in bonds for hotel construction. Windsor/Aughtry Co. of Greenville was chosen.

But the firms suing the city say that decision does not release the city of an obligation to pay for work done up to that point.

Stevens & Wilkinson received $700,000 from the city in 2003 to continue work on the project. That payment is cited in both lawsuits as proof the city should pay for all of the work the firms did.

Developer Bo Aughtry said last month his 222-room Hilton Hotel would cost $3 million to $5 million more than initially expected. Aughtry said he was still in negotiations with contractors to make that project economically feasible. He still hopes to begin construction in August.

The city has committed to a $3 million cash subsidy for the private hotel deal.

[btoy]

For those of you not Familiar with Windsor/ Aughtry, they did Poinsett Corners in Greenville and are the developer for The Hampton Inn & Suites at Riverplace in downtown Greenville.

[krazeeboi]

Cool; I'm loving the design for the new Hampton. I expect they will do a great job on the Hilton.

[krazeeboi]

In today's edition, The State reports that the convention center hotel is still seen as being significant to the overall success of the convention center. The lack of such a hotel is probably the reason why the city booked more local conventions than initially planned--however, such conventions have little economic impact on a city. More out-of-town conventions equal more hotel rooms booked which equals more tax revenue for the city.

[krazeeboi]

OK, I have some construction pics!  







And here's the type of brick being used for the facade. Looks like typical Vista brick to me:

[krazeeboi]

You know, after viewing the rendering a few times, the hotel is certainly going to make a statement, especially considering that it's in the Vista and is going to be 8 stories tall. Considering that the capital city to the north of us is having issues with the design of its proposed convention center hotel, Columbia should consider itself fortunate to have a hotel with a tasteful design (nothing that knocks your socks off, but fitting nonetheless) AND that is under construction.

[waverider]

krazeeboi, on Mar 2 2006, 02:05 AM, said:

You know, after viewing the rendering a few times, the hotel is certainly going to make a statement, especially considering that it's in the Vista and is going to be 8 stories tall. Considering that the capital city to the north of us is having issues with the design of its proposed convention center hotel, Columbia should consider itself fortunate to have a hotel with a tasteful design (nothing that knocks your socks off, but fitting nonetheless) AND that is under construction.

and with that location...from the upper floors, folks should have a great view of both downtown and the river.  i'd stay there.

krazeeboi, how much did you spend in gas driving around columbia taking all these pictures?  

[krazeeboi]

^Not too much, but enough!

[krazeeboi]

What about the 800-space parking garage to be built to serve the convention center/hotel? What's the status of that?

[waccamatt]

krazeeboi, on Mar 2 2006, 10:40 PM, said:

What about the 800-space parking garage to be built to serve the convention center/hotel? What's the status of that?

It is being built in conjunction with the Hilton. The land is being cleared where the garage will be.

[krazeeboi]

Where is the parcel of land in relation to the hotel? To the north?

[CorgiMatt]

krazeeboi, on Mar 3 2006, 12:33 AM, said:

Where is the parcel of land in relation to the hotel? To the north?

To the south, on the same block, adjacent to the hotel.

[krazeeboi]

^Gotcha.

[BryCola]

I hope these new garages in the vista will be free at night like the one's around Main Street.

[GamecockEngineer]

BryCola, on Mar 5 2006, 12:14 AM, said:

I hope these new garages in the vista will be free at night like the one's around Main Street.

Vista needs a lot of new parking at night.  It' almost impossible to find a parking spot on thurs, fri, or sat nights.

[The_sandlapper]

Heh, I agree!

[Spartan]

I think they are talking about putting a garage near Park St or Assembly, north of Gervais.

[GamecockEngineer]

Spartan, on Mar 6 2006, 08:39 PM, said:

I think they are talking about putting a garage near Park St or Assembly, north of Gervais.

With the opening of the new First Citizens HQ on main, I would assume that the block that currently houses FC will be open.  The buildings are old and ugly, and I don't think there is anything planned for that block.  A garage would go great there.  Esp. if it has street level retail in it, and it is made to look like a building (like the garages in DT Charleston).

[krazeeboi]

So what effect do you guys think the new Hilton will have on the Marriott? I think the Marriott will feel the pinch initially, but will bounce back eventually.