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Hammons won't build at 14th and Q

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BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Friday, Apr 13, 2007 - 12:55:14 am CDT

Missouri hotel developer John Q. Hammons has withdrawn his application to be included in the city’s Catalyst One redevelopment project and instead said he will focus his energy on  the proposed arena and hotel in the Haymarket.

Hammons, who was in Lincoln Thursday to talk with city officials and others involved with the West Haymarket project, said he has too much on his plate right now to develop a hotel on the downtown block bounded by P, Q, 13th and 14th streets.

He submitted a letter in mid-March in response to the city’s request for proposals for the block. Two other developers submitted more detailed plans.

Story Photo
Hotel developer John Q. Hammons (right) sits next to Lincoln Mayor Coleen Seng during a press conference in December at which he announced his hope to build a $16 million hotel in east downtown. (LJS file)
Hammons, withdrawal leaves two projects

John Q. Hammons’ withdrawal of his proposal for the Catalyst One redevelopment project on the block bounded by P, Q, 13th and 14th leaves two plans for the city to consider.

* Dial Realty Corp. is proposing a $45-million project that would include a 112-room Residence Inn by Marriott. The hotel, including a 600-stall parking garage the city plans to build, would be 13 stories high and have 14 condos that would sell from $200,000 to $400,000.

The proposal includes a sports bar and entertainment complex with meeting space. A smaller building would have shops on the first floor and offices on the second and third floors occupied by Sinclair Hille architects.

* Lincoln Synergy Group LLC is proposing an estimated $180-million project that would include a 22-story tower with 726-stall garage, 150-room full-service hotel, 104 apartments and more than 140,000 square feet of office and retail space on the redevelopment block and an 18-story building with a 702-stall garage, space for UNL offices, retail space and about 245 retirement units on 14 floors on the block bounded by Q, R, 13th and 14th.

Both groups are expected to give presentations to an advisory committee today. The advisory group is expected to make a recommendation to the mayor by the end of the month.

Hammons said he remains committed to building a hotel and convention center in conjunction with the city’s proposed new arena.

“We’re committed to do this if they want us to,” he said.

Hammons said he thinks the project could come to fruition in as little as two to three years.

“I’m encouraged and I think it will happen,” he said. “That’s the reason I flew in here.”

Lincoln Mayor Coleen Seng said  a task force studying the arena and convention center is probably a couple of weeks away from talking timetables, but has made a lot of progress.

Seng said she thinks Hammons was surprised by that.

“I think he was really kind of pleased that we are that far along,” she said.

The mayor said the task force, which is an action team formed by the 2015 Vision group is ready to tackle serious pieces of the plan, which include possible relocation of railroad tracks, floodplain issues and possible environmental issues due to ground contamination.

After that, she said, “I think (the process) is probably going to just move right along.”

When it does, Hammons appears to be ready.

He said he envisions a 15- to 20-story hotel with 350 to 400 rooms and a “nice” convention center. He even has a name picked out, although he declined to say what it is.

While some have questioned whether Lincoln can support another full-service hotel downtown, Hammons, who built the downtown Embassy Suites, said he sees a good market.

“I wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t a market,” he said.

Hammons said he has hotels in 12 cities that, like Lincoln, are state capitals and home to major universities.

The cost for the arena has been estimated at near $250 million, with a convention center and hotel possibly costing as much as $100 million.

But Hammons, who expressed cost concerns about building a hotel at 14th and Q streets, downplayed that aspect.

“I know it’s costly,” he said, “but we have the business to fill it.”

Lincoln Chamber of Commerce President Wendy Birdsall said having Hammons’ involvement and commitment to the project may be crucial to whether it gets done in a timely manner or at all.

“It’s a big project, and it’s got to have what I call a champion,” Birdsall said.

Hammons’ involvement, she said, “brings it that much closer to reality.”

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.


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Why oh why wrote on April 13, 2007 8:37 am:
" Why are certain people in this fair city so set that the Great John Q. Hammon is the cities saving grace. As a taxpayer of this city I wonder how much money has been spent in courting Mr. Hammon. I applaud him in taking advantage of a situation and making money from it. He has a very nice hotel if not the best in the area, I do not feel nor am convinced Mr Hammon has any long term interest in the long term investment in Lincoln. It will be more of the time frame of recouping his investment of building a hotel. Heck I would even bet his team has a formula as to where to build what size and how long it will take to make a nice return on investment. There are so many other opportunities and people out there that can do the same things if not better. It is very obvious the city has no care or respect for long term companies such as Gallup and others that have left to Omaha and other places for a better opportunity. I don't have all of the answers just think it may be better suited to get people from all aspects of the city together to brainstorm better solutions. I wish someone would finally stand up and really ask why do we need a new convention center in Lincoln? Why? Why can't we work together to improve the mess on 84th St guised as the Event center and work on helping the State fair. If we can show how good we can come together and fix those problems; creating some jobs along the way, people will see that and know they can get behind Lincoln. "

 Roger wrote on April 13, 2007 10:01 am:
" Why, oh why, are people so afraid of change? Why are Lincolnites so afraid of progress and growth? I know you all wish it was 1955 all over again, but it's not... "

 JR wrote on April 13, 2007 10:21 am:
" This would be a great addition to our community! If you want to see how John Q. Hammons has developed a similar facility, visit the Embassy Suites website and search Rogers, AR. The very complex he's describing is right along I-540 and is visually attractive, especially near an entrance to the community. The only knock I have against it -- and interestingly enough, the above article says he already has a name in mind -- is the fact that the Rogers, AR, facility has 6-foot-tall garish letters announcing "JOHN Q. HAMMONS CENTER" along the wall of the convention center. But hey, if he wants to invest in this project at the level he's proposing, then the people Lincoln need to stop being so obtuse when it comes to development and get out of his way. I for one welcome putting this kind of private property on the city's tax rolls. "

 Used to live in Springfield, MO wrote on April 13, 2007 11:37 am:
" Take a look at what John Q. has done for Springfield, MO and Missouri State University. Then if you still feel he is an unfair, unjust, self centered man--take a look at what he's done again, and again, until you see that its possible for somebody to actually want to do something good for this mighty city with its head in the sand. "

 Larry wrote on April 13, 2007 12:06 pm:
" The city needs to get something in writing because Mr. Hammon is up there in years. He may not be around in 2 or 3 years. Notice he's a bit shy to do anything in writing. He wants the city to commit to everything while he only wants to give his word, if that. Just like the other project he backed out of at 17th and Q. He'll want the city to hand him the land probably free and clear if he does anything in the Haymarket area. "

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