SYRACUSE -- The Inns at Armory Square announced that construction for a new Marriott Hotel in downtown Syracuse will begin Thursday.
It will be a seven story tall hotel with 180 rooms and will take just over a year to complete. The targeted opening date is May 15, 2013.
The hotel will create 200 new jobs during the construction period and cost $30 million.
It will be located across the street from Kitty Hoynes on West Fayette Street at the corner of Franklin Street. The property is currently a parking lot.
"We are very excited about starting construction of the new Marriott hotel in downtown Syracuse. We believe the project will continue to build on the success of the Armory Square area as well as be a pivotal project to support the Near West Side Initiative efforts and the Connective Corridor," said Dick Sykes, managing member of the Inns at Armory Square.
There have been some concerns about the hotel taking over parking spaces. City officials say there about about 2,750 off-street parking spaces within two blocks of the lot. That lot has been closed for most of this month in preparation for construction.
Business owners in the area say the change has been a challenge for customers. Kitty Hoynes is offering ways to help ease the parking crunch. The restaurant will pay for discounted parking at the Atrium Garage for lunch and dinner guests by taking the cost off the bill. Staffers there are also reminding patrons of other parking options. They are encouraging people to park "kitty corner" to the restaurant. Owner David Hoynes says, "The other option is the Washington Street Garage which is free after four o'clock Thursday and Friday, all day Saturday, and Sunday noon to five o'clock."
Signs will be going up around Armory Square to help drivers find new parking spots. The city is also considering a shuttle, but that is still in the planning stages.
The Inns at Armory Square will be the first combined Courtyard-Residence Inn Marriott Hotel built in the northeast.
