New price tag, new look for downtown project

Jan. 16, 2019

The downtown development known as Village on the River will now be an estimated $70 million investment and have a slightly different look than originally presented.

The cost will be $20 million more than originally estimated, incurred on the part of developer Lamont Cos., according to Matt Nelson, the city’s public parking manager.

Nelson updated the City Council on the mixed-use project Tuesday. It will include two hotels, retailers, conference space and parking.

The city’s portion has a guaranteed maximum price of $19.7 million for the parking ramp and utility work needed for downtown.

“These are now set with our construction manager,” Nelson said, adding that the ramp itself came in slightly under budget because of design changes and cost efficiencies, while work needed to get the soil ready cost more than expected.

Journey Group is serving as construction manager at risk.

Construction is on schedule, with concrete pours beginning. In all, there will be 18 pours, and the first ones are done.

“We’re going to do this over and over again for 15 more pours,” Nelson said.

Precast work will start on the parking ramp in March, he said. By November, it will be partially complete and shift to more of a focus on the private development.

The city plans to open up the first 100 parking spots in March 2020, and ultimately there will be 525 spaces available.

By June 1, 2020, the city expects to have full access to the ramp.

Nelson also shared updated images of the development from JLG Architects, which he said reflect comments from the public. Gone is some of the color included in the original design, replaced by “more of a black, beige and yellow,” Nelson said. Much the glass originally shown is also gone.

The new rendering of Village on the River, JLG Architects

The earlier rendering of Village on the River

The building will be L-shaped on the top of the ramp, which should contrast more favorably on the skyline, Nelson said, “to provide depth and a different visual characteristic to the building.”

The scope of the private development hasn’t changed. AC Hotel by Marriott will have its lobby facing Phillips Avenue and include 114 rooms on stories 12 through 14. Residence Inn by Marriott will have its lobby next to AC and include 101 rooms on five levels.

The smaller four-story building that fronts 10th Street will include retail on the first floor; conference, event space and a restaurant on the second floor; shared amenities for the hotels, including a swimming pool and fitness center on the third floor, plus another restaurant; and administrative offices on the fourth.

The new rendering by JLG of Village on the River

The former rendering of Village on the River

“There is a rooftop restaurant which will be on the 15th floor, and there’s also going to be some rooftop terrace on top of the retail, the first four floors on the front,” Nelson said.

“I know they have had a lot of interest in the retail space and the bar and restaurant space.”

The city doesn’t anticipate any substantial changes to the design, he said.

“It’s kind of exciting because one of our goals was to create walkability downtown,” Nelson said. “That’s truly going to provide a place where people can come and shop and enjoy our downtown.”

New downtown hotel project to include four bars, restaurants as construction stays on track approaching winter

 

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New price tag, new look for downtown project

The downtown development known as Village on the River will now be an estimated $70 million investment and have a slightly different look than originally presented.

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