PEEKSKILL, N.Y. -- The proposed Holiday Inn Express at the corner of John Walsh Boulevard and Louisa Street isn't dead yet, but the plans might be changed in order to make it happen.
"Currently the project is still seeking funding", explained Deputy City Manager Brian Havranek to the City Council at Monday's work session. "These are challenging times and the feedback from the lending institutions do not agree with our philosophy on green technology."
The city had hoped to build the 72-room hotel to meet requirements for platinum Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification, the most environmentally advanced LEED certifications. Havranek said that lenders wanted the hotel built as inexpensively as possible
"Any penny spent that is more than what is needed to construct the bare minimum project is a concern to the lending institutions," Havranek said.
Havranek said city officials hoped the proposed developer, George Liaskos, could still incorporate some green technology into the project. Ordinances given to the developer might have to be updated if green technology is not able to be incorporated into the project since it is zoned for green building, he said.
"In order to do that, it may take a little more time to vent and explore all possibilities," Havranek said.
There have been concerns from adjacent property owners about the bare foundation that currently sits on the property is hurting the aesthetics of the area, Havranek said. Liaskos has been asked to spruce up the area while funding is being sought, including putting up fencing and shrubberies.
The property the foundation sits on is owned by the Peekskill Industrial Development Corporation, and will be turned over to Liaskos when funding is found.
Havranek said that, unlike a couple of years ago when lenders weren't even speaking to Liaskos, lenders are at least having conversations with him and said the city was hopeful the project could get funding in the coming year.
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