$1 billion San Diego center back on track
Gaylord Entertainment has resumed talks with local government officials to develop a $1-billion hotel and convention center here on the bay front in San Diego, according to news reports.
The Nashville, TN-based company broke off negotiations with officials of Chula Vista and the Port of San Diego earlier this summer, citing demands by local construction unions that Gaylord claimed would add upwards of $75 million to the project.
Gaylord was negotiating with local officials for a $308-million public subsidy for the project, which was to consist of about 2,000 hotel rooms and 400,000 square feet of meeting space.
But earlier this month, Gaylord senior vice president Bennett Westbrook wrote in a letter to officials that “as a result of the overwhelming show of community support for Gaylord’s inclusion within the Chula Vista Bayfront Project, Gaylord hereby requests to continue discussions.”
Chula Vista Major Cheryl Cox has been a strong supporter of the project and blamed local unions for driving away Gaylord, according to Reuters.
Meanwhile, Gaylord last week announced a major expansion of its Opryland Resort and Convention Center, in Nashville. The expansion will add more than 400,000 square feet of convention and meeting space and a new 400-room, luxury all-suites hotel adjacent to Gaylord Opryland’s current facility.
Report by David Wilkening
David
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