Feb. 13–One final vote stands in the way of Universal City welcoming its newest economic revenue generator to town.
The City Council on Feb. 20 is expected to approve the second reading of two ordinances that will set into motion the creation of a TownePlace Suites by Marriott Hotel on Universal City land along the Interstate 35 access road.
On Feb. 6, the council approved the first reading of an ordinance that provides economic incentives to Boulevard Development Co. for the development, operations and marketing of the hotel.
The city's Industrial Development Corp. on Feb. 8 approved the second ordinance that authorizes "the private development of a hotel on land adjoining the Olympia Hills Golf and Event Center" along I-35 on city-owned and C-5 zoned property.
The approximate 450-foot property is between Furniture Row Shopping Center and Rudy's Country Store and B-B-Q.
Assistant City Manager Kim Turner outlined the proposal to council prior to the IDC board's unanimous vote approving the ordinance. Council will vote on both ordinances at its Feb. 20 meeting.
Details of the agreement will be released after the meeting at the request of Marriott officials during the contract negotiations, Turner said.
The city will not have to spend any money to acquire the property.
"This is not private property. It's property owned by the city," Turner told the council. "It will not affect any residential development within the city."
There are three other TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotels in the San Antonio area. The airport location features 106 suites, a Northwest location has 117, and the downtown hotel has 123 suites.
