Convention center leaders are deciding the next steps for a companion hotel to the expansion project.
Three hotel developers made presentations to the Capital Improvement Board last week. One showed renderings and site plans.
Indianapolis based Dora Hospitality said they’d offer LEED certifications, specialized lighting, valet parking, exterior green space, and a coffee shop that’s open to the public.
Partner company executive Russ Louderback said it will have local flair.
“We know that this thing needs to read Monroe County and Bloomington,” he said.
Their concept looks at the former Bunger & Robertson law firm property just north of the convention center. That location gives them closer proximity to the courthouse square, access to the B-Line Trail, and the Hyatt Place on Morton Street.
It’s also not under purview of the CIB. That land is owned by the city and could come at a cost of $7 million.
The proposal includes one level of below-grade parking, a 5,000-square-foot ballroom, outdoor activity space in a courtyard off the B-Line Trail, fitness center, full-service restaurant, rooftop bar, and retail space.
The rendering replicates the sawtooth shape from the Showers Building roof to create an array of solar panels. The hotel would be dual brand with a full-service 120-room Marriott property on one side and a 90-room extended stay property on the other.
RFQ for Monroe Convention H... by Indiana Public Media News
Much like the other proposals, it would take about three years to design and build and developers are asking for a public-private partnership. That would include negotiations about parking garage use, green space requirements, size of the ballroom, or land.
Developers also all agreed that a critical climate-controlled walkway connecting the hotel to the convention center is critical.
Texas-based Garfield Public Private developer asked the CIB to reconsider using some of the expansion site for the hotel.
Indianapolis based MHG Hotels emphasized the roof top bar, local retail, outdoor space on multiple levels — even with a pickle ball court — but no site plan.
Read more: CIB presents preliminary design for convention center expansion to city council
A real estate and hotel market analysis is due at the end of the month. A public sharing meeting is set for Monday, Sept. 16 at the convention center.
