The developer of a Downtown convention hotel has told Evansville officials that the firm is working “day and night” to get the project back on track.
Developer HCW has been given a 90-day extension from its original June 30th deadline to have contracts in place and begin construction of the hotel on Walnut Street. The company told city officials it needed the extra time, because the first round of construction bids came back too high.
The $71 million project includes $20 million in public funding for a parking facility, which has grown since the announcement of a planned IU medical school nearby.
City Council Vice President Dan Adams says more public money for the hotel project is “not an option.” The Hilton DoubleTree will have 258 rooms and an apartment tower.
Redevelopment Commission President Randy Alsman told the Courier and Press that HCW is working with vendors to determine how to reduce costs without losing quality.
Officials had hoped the hotel would open by fall of next year. Now, it’s more likely to open in Spring 2016.