City Council Ponders Convention Center Hotel

By Laurin Penland

Wilmington, NC – The Wilmington City council met Monday to weigh their options for a hotel at the Convention Center. The last hotel deal fell through, and council members are anxious to move forward with a plan.

A sales representative from SMG, a convention management company, says they will lose certain contracts without having a convention hotel on site. He says the economy is making it difficult for hotels to get funding.

Council members debated about what kind of hotel they should pursue. Laura Padgett held a firm position.

"I think we should have a first class, full service hotel. Something that does not exist in our region at this time. And why shouldn't the first one be on the riverfront next to the convention center?"

Other options would be a hotel with fewer amenities, or to let developers fill the gap with offsite hotels. Council members will meet again in two weeks to discuss the future of the hotel.

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