The city council will review the request tonight, two weeks after some aldermen criticized the proposed change during an initial discussion.
An Australian real estate outfit called Mariner Higgins Centre owns the nearly 6-acre property. It has planned to sell about an acre on the southeast side to a different developer, Itasca-based NexGen Hotels, for the hotel. A 34,658-square-foot parking garage for the office building and hotel was part of the plan. It was to be built on the property's northwest side and have 207 spaces.
by signing up you agree to our terms of service The garage no longer is financially viable, a Mariner Higgins Centre representative told the council Dec. 19.Commuting habits have changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, John Carlisle, the city's community and economic development director, said during the Dec. 19 meeting. Additionally, the office building and hotel would have different peak parking needs, he said.