I didn't see this coming. Hope it works out OK. From the IJ:
Ithaca Holiday Inn withdraws application for tax breaks
Owners back off plan to shut down for renovations but stick to upgrade
2:12 PM, Sep 19, 2013
Written by
David Hill
The company that owns the Holiday Inn in downtown Ithaca has withdrawn its application for city, county and school tax abatements because it has reworked the plans and timing of its extensive renovation and construction of a conference center.
Hart Hotels of Buffalo asked that its application under the City of Ithaca’s downtown density incentive program be withdrawn from consideration at Thursday’s meeting of the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency.
The company indicated it’s not abandoning the project and expects to reapply, but that it has significantly changed the scope and sequence of the construction project. Specifically, it will do the major first round of upgrades while staying open, keeping revenue coming in, staff employed and customers served, instead of shutting down for nearly seven months as first planned.
“Thus our application does not accurately reflect how and when we will proceed with the project,” Hart said in a letter sent late Wednesday to Tompkins County Area Development, which administers the county development agency. “I respect that these factors are critical for the board and other community stakeholders to know when the project is reviewed at the board level.”
Hart Hotels originally planned to close the hotel completely from November to mid-May, then partially reopen until new construction is done in mid-2015. The full and partial closure would cost the company significant revenue but it’s worth it because the hotel is outdated and the conference space would mean more business for the hotel and all of downtown, Hart Hotels President David Hart said at an Aug. 19 public information project on its abatements application.
The two-story portions of the 181-room hotel, at Cayuga and Clinton streets in the heart of downtown, would be torn down, the existing tower renovated, another high-rise tower built, and convention and meeting space expanded to 15,000 square feet, including room that could seat up to 400 people.
City officials and downtown business leaders have enthusastically welcomed the conference-center plan for the potential to host meetings and conventions and even large weddings and social events that have no adequate downtown space now.
Now, instead of closing, Hart Hotels will continue to operate during renovations, according to Hart’s letter.
Hart Hotels’ franchise license with Holiday Inn expires Nov. 4, and the hotel will open Nov. 5 as the Hotel Ithaca. The tower guestrooms and suites, lobby, ballroom and pool will be renovated through the coming winter, Hart wrote. He said staying open will be better for hotel staff and customers, and enhance the hotel’s long-term viability.
Hart did not address the conference center and tower plans. The company has not submitted any revised plans to the city.
Here's the link:
http://www.ithacajournal.com/article...nclick_check=1