This area is set to be the site of a new hotel in Oswego
/ photo by Brandon Roth
OSWEGO -- A former landfill just off Route 104 on Oswego's eastside is on track to become the site of the Port City's next major hotel.
Oswego Mayor Tom Gillen says construction of an 81 room Holiday Inn Express will bring a much needed business to the area. "A commercial business hotel like the Holiday Inn Express is a good opportunity. If we are going to grow the city we need to have business class hotel. This is exactly what we need," he says.
Construction of the hotel required a zoning change of the property, which is in Oswego's 2nd ward, from residential to commercial. Last week, the Oswego Common Council reversed an earlier decision and voted to change the zoning.
The reversal angered opponents of the zoning change, who complained the last minute change was done without their knowledge. Mayor Gillen defends the zone change and says the city charter allows the council to revisit a vote as long as it is done within two weeks. "This is perfectly legal. We didn't do anything underhanded, there was no funny business going on. Believe me, I understand the emotional issues about this. I live in a neighborhood too. Change is always difficult," he says.
Residents who border the back of the property fought the zoning change because of concerns that a new hotel would bring noise, traffic, and crime.
Mayor Gillen says the multimillion dollar project will bring 150 temporary and more than 30 fulltime jobs.
In addition, he says it will bring in much needed property and sales tax revenue and most importantly, help attract more businesses to Oswego. "I was elected by a large majority of the people to bring economic development to the city of Oswego, so I've been very open and honest about it right from the beginning. I want people to invest in the city of Oswego. We have a lot to offer," he says.
