The Shreveport City Council is demanding answers regarding the long-stalled Marriott hotel project on East 70th Street. The hotel, which has remained unfinished for nearly six years, was the subject of discussion at the recent City Council meeting. Representatives from Green Lake Real Estate Fund, the lender behind the project, explained that construction and financial issues have been the primary obstacles.
Paul Diamond, Director at Green Lake Real Estate Fund, attributed the delays to dishonest contractors and subcontractors who misused funds intended for construction. “The project is stalled because of bad actors on the construction side. The result has been significant harm to the project with money stolen and money wasted,” Diamond stated. Despite these setbacks, Diamond assured the council that efforts are underway to secure funding to resume construction within the next eight weeks.
Impact on Local Businesses
The unfinished hotel has been a missed economic opportunity for nearby businesses along East 70th Street. Managers from local establishments like Hopdoddy Burger Bar and Torchy’s Tacos expressed concerns about the negative impact on sales. “It’s more of an eyesore than anything, so it would be nice if they finished it,” said Gabbie Oberley, manager at Hopdoddy Burger Bar. Mary Rayburn, manager at Torchy’s Tacos, noted that the closure led to a dip in sales for businesses in the area.
As construction continues on both the Marriott and the nearby Hollywood Suites Hotel on Fern Loop, local businesses are hopeful for increased customer traffic once the projects are completed. Oberley added, “I feel like a lot of people like to come have a burger and fries, and we are directly across the street so we’re one of the first options. It would be great if construction finished.”
City Council’s Response
In response to the ongoing delays, Councilman Grayson Boucher has requested that the city attorney explore new legislation requiring developers to provide updates if construction projects are not completed within a certain timeframe. For now, city officials indicate that the only immediate enforcement options involve addressing Property Standards violations, such as overgrown grass and trash on the site.
The commitment from the lending company to complete the project offers some hope for local businesses and residents eager to see the area revitalized. As the situation unfolds, the Shreveport City Council remains focused on ensuring accountability and progress for this significant development.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
