Nov. 20–EVANSVILLE — The future site of Evansville’s Downtown convention hotel remained an empty lot on Wednesday, with a dusting of snow covering the weeds and rocks. But that is expected to change within days.
“A lot of things are happening behind the scenes. You might see activity there this week or next,” said Ella Johnson-Watson, a spokeswoman for Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.
Hunt Construction officials told the Board of Public Works earlier this month that Wednesday would be a starting date. Johnson-Watson said Hunt needed the board’s approval for a date when road or lane closures could begin to occur, but it’s difficult to pin down a precise date for the onset of construction.
However, Johnson-Watson said it won’t be long now.
She said a signal that construction is near will be when a silt fence, which is used to confine dust and debris to a construction area, is placed at the site.
“It’s not a matter of if (construction will get started), it’s a matter of when,” Johnson-Watson said.
Hunt Construction, an Indianapolis company that also built Ford Center, is the lead contractor on the hotel project.
The project, which also includes a parking garage, an apartment tower and sky bridges, will cost $71.3 million. That figure includes $20 million in city bond debt — $7.5 million of which is a subsidy for the hotel developer, HCW of Branson, Missouri.
Hilton DoubleTree has granted a franchise for the hotel. It is to have about 245 rooms, a restaurant and a rooftop bar. The project is to be finished in 2016, and city officials are counting on it to restore convention business in Evansville.
City officials conducted a formal groundbreaking at the site in March, but the hotel project has since faced delays, including a rebid of the construction contract.
