Wyndham Hotel Group to work with Genesis Partners on 2nd hotel and conference center
The Exponent Telegram
January 12, 2016
By Jim Davis STAFF WRITER
BRIDGEPORT — The hospitality group behind the Bridgeport Conference Center hotel is committed to an expanded events center in that location, Bridgeport City Council learned Monday night.
Wyndham Hotel Group has agreed to work with Genesis Partners on a second hotel and conference center, representatives of the Charles Pointe developer told city council during its regular meeting at Bridgeport City Hall.
“It will be the largest hotel in a 30-mile radius,” said Mark Dellana, executive director of development for Genesis Partners.
“The beauty of our event center is we already have a conference center.
“We know how that’s performed, and we know that we can do better if it was bigger and connected to the hotel,” he added.
The project would cost about $31.7 million, including $20.7 million for the hotel and $11 million for the event center, Dellana said.
The event center would be 25,000 square feet, Dellana said. The existing conference center is 10,000 square feet.
Wyndham Hotel Group operates the Wingate hotel at the existing conference center.
The proposed Wyndham Garden hotel would have about 150 rooms, Dellana said.
Jamie Corton, a managing partner with Genesis Partners, read aloud a letter from Wyndham Hotel Group committed to expanding the relationship.
“They’re truly, truly interested in this market,” Corton said.
The site of the proposed event center is among three properties Bridgeport acquired through an arrangement with Genesis Partners and the Harrison County Commission.
A multi-use facility that would house the Greater Bridgeport Convention and Visitors Center and an indoor recreation facility are planned on the other properties.
The city has committed $1 million to the conference center, provided Genesis Partners and other entities can come up with the rest of the financing.
The CVB has committed another $2.5 million in exchange for the property where the multi-use facility is planned.
Drew Pomeroy, president of the CVB’s board of directors, gave an update on the multi-use facility.
The Thrasher Group is designing the two-story, 22,000-square-foot facility planned at the four corners’ entrance to Charles Pointe, Pomeroy told council.
“The majority of that building’s spoken for in regard to being leased out from higher education to a restaurant to our CVB office,” Pomeroy said. “That will serve as the focal point of tourism here in Bridgeport.”
The indoor recreation facility is proposed for the third parcel of property across from the Bridgeport Recreation Complex.
Council has approved imposing a 1 percent sales tax to pay for the construction, operation and maintenance of the recreation facility.
In other business, council:
— Awarded CXT the contract for installing a concession stand and storage area at Bridgeport City Park.
CXT submitted the low bid of $65,602 for the prefabricated concrete building, said Don Burton, director of the Bridgeport Parks and Recreation Department.
The company is based in Spokane Valley, Washington, but recently purchased Carr Concrete near Parkersburg, Burton said.
Smith Midland, a company out of Virginia, submitted a bid of $76,226, Burton added.
— Recognized area law enforcement as part of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day — which was Monday.
Former Councilwoman Melissa Matheny, a member of Wives Behind the Badge, said the second annual Paint the Town Blue event in Bridgeport will be Feb. 15-19.
Matheny’s husband, Robert, is Stonewood police chief.
— Went into a closed-door session to discuss sale or lease of property, advance construction planning and matters of attorney-client privilege.
Council reconvened in open session about 45 minutes later and took no action, Mayor Bob Greer said.
