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City Council OKs Radisson Hotel expansion
By THOMAS MICHALSKI
| Article published on Thursday, July 17, 2008 |
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| The Radisson Hotel and Convention Center will become a Marriott once renovations are completed. |
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PINELLAS PARK – The City Council on July 10 approved plans for a $20 million expansion of the Radisson Hotel and Convention Center that will soon come under the Marriott corporate banner.
The plans call for adding a nine-story, 51-suite addition to the present building at 12600 Roosevelt Blvd.
All present rooms will undergo extensive renovations. The 10,000-square-feet of meeting facilities will be expanded to 25,000 square feet. The new lobby will include a two-story tall waterfall while the present Bellarte restaurant will be converted into a high-end eatery with upscale food and liquors.
A gymnasium will be relocated to the first floor and transformed into a fitness center with new and advanced equipment. The swimming pool will be relocated to another area of the property. The present pool space will be converted into a new outdoor restaurant.
Anthony Menna, a major investor and owner of the Radisson that opened its doors January 5, 2002, said the revamped facility is expected to draw more corporate and tourist business. Menna and Housh Ghovaee of Northside Engineering, who redesigned the facility, said Pinellas Park is an ideal location for the venture because of its proximity to the gulf beaches, businesses and tourist attractions.
Menna requested that the council consider not only the expansion, that also includes an 10,000-square-foot ballroom, but a reduction of parking spaces. He said about 77 percent of the hotel’s guests use shuttle services while only about 20 percent drive to the facility.
The plans to bring to the city its first Marriott drew praise from citizens, Mayor Bill Mischler and council members.
Only one person objected. That was local activist Randy Heine who opposed virtually everything that was brought before the council. Heine questioned the reduction of parking spaces for the Radisson project. At one point during the meeting Heine and Councilman Rick Butler got into a verbal duel, prompting police to escort Heine from the council chambers.
In other matters, the council approved an ordinance on second and final reading that increases the city’s administrative fees for building permits and other services. Dean Neal, zoning director, said some costs have not been increased since the 1990s and are among the lowest in Pinellas County.
Also approved was an ordinance changing land use on three parcels at 6801 Park Blvd. from residential urban to commercial general.
Denied was a measure to expand operations of SunCoast RV, 6740 Park Blvd.
The council approved a $74,332 contract to Himes Electric Co., Inc. of Lutz to replace and upgrade electrical services at Town Square Plaza Park to reduce present maintenance and other costs associated with special events at the facility.
The council also approved a five-year lease with Jan Gray that allows him to continue living at Helen Howarth Park in exchange for handling certain security and maintenance responsibilities.
Approved was an annexation of land at 11000 58th St.
Muriel Bruno was appointed as a citizen member of the Pinellas Park Police officers Pension Board of Trustees.
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Article published on Thursday, July 17, 2008
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