A major project beset by multiple delays approaches the finish line.
Saints be praised — there is an end in sight. At least, let’s hope so.
This week’s news that Hotel Royer is scheduled to open this summer after a long and painful renovation process ought to put a spring in the step of Urbana residents.
Hotel what? If that name doesn’t sound familiar, let’s revisit the history.
Hotel Royer is the former Urbana-Lincoln, the former Jumer’s Hotel and the former Landmark Hotel.
It has the potential to be — but has not been for years — a jewel in the crown of Lincoln Square, the once-prominent shopping center in downtown Urbana.
What a long, strange trip it’s been since Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin announced years ago the joint public-private partnership to renovate and reopen the hotel.
It’s been plagued by delays driven by problems that were not foreseen at the beginning. That’s often the case when construction experts start peeling back the layers of antique buildings and discover what’s really necessary to meet modern standards.
It’s been frustrating for Urbana city officials, who’ve repeatedly extended deadlines to achieve occupancy. Now it’s Dec. 31. But just think about how painful the process has been for those trying to meet the deadlines.
That’s why Haaris Pervaiz, a partner with developer Icon Hospitality, acknowledged to The News-Gazette that it’s been a “long project for us” and that he is eager to open, “ideally before the start of the new school year.”
There is still work to be done and inspections to be conducted before Hotel Royer becomes part of Hilton Tapestry Collection properties.
But it seems safe to conclude it’s going to happen, and that, if successful, will be good — make that great — for Urbana.
It better be. The city is providing $5.5 million to assist the project. That’s a big investment for taxpayers to make in a private-sector project they hope will generate significant returns for the entire community.
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