Evansville Courier & Press staff report
An Indianapolis-based developer is planning to build a major, four-star hotel in Downtown Evansville, company officials announced today.
A location for the hotel has not been decided, though Browning Investments officials hope to construct it near a new arena, if one is ultimately built Downtown.
"Some cities have made mistakes moving their convention and tourism attractions away from the city center," Browning Executive Vice President Dennis Dye said in a news release. "The fact that Evansville is considering locating an arena downtown with a 'Four Star Hotel' in close proximity combined with the local casino will make the city very competitive in the midsize convention market. It will provide the stimulus to maintain the downtown momentum the city has already achieved and frankly that is what attracts us."
The news release said that a Downtown arena and convention district "will make Evansville more competitive with other cities of their size in attracting more convention and tourism business, resulting in a significant positive impact for the local economy and community."
The release listed a handful of market drivers supporting the hotel's Downtown construction, including: its proximity to Casino Aztar and a possible new arena, the lack of of competitive alternatives that have modern facilities and the demand for business-focused accommodations from local corporate headquarters. The release said the new hotel's "many amenities" will also help attract out-of-town business, conventions and tourism.