Erie City Council will host a special session on April 30 to consider Scott Enterprises’ proposed new $32 million AC Marriott hotel on Erie’s east bayfront.
Council President Tyler Titus had previously told the Erie Times-News that the project’s request for what’s known as a waterfront conditional use approval would likely come to a vote at the panel’s April 15 meeting.
However, City Clerk Laurie Watson’s office has announced that City Council will conduct the April 30 special session to deal with that request.
Deputy City Clerk Michael Lavery said the April 30 meeting date gives City Council members even more time to consider relevant information about the project before voting.
A vote is expected at the April 30 session, Lavery said.
These are renderings of a proposed new $32 million, 140-room Marriott AC hotel adjacent to and just east of the Hampton Inn, 130 E. Front St., near the Blasco Library.
The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Bagnoni Council Chambers at City Hall, 626 State St. The meeting can be viewed on Facebook and YouTube.
Any project seeking a waterfront conditional use zoning designation must receive final approval from City Council before it can move forward.
Hotel proposal
The proposed AC Marriott is part of Scott Enterprises’ $150 million-plus Harbor Place development, first announced in 2013.
The development already includes a miniature golf course located on the north end of Harbor Place; Oliver’s Beer Garden; and the $22 million, 94-room Hampton Inn & Suites Erie Bayfront, which opened in 2020 at 130 E. Front St.
The 140-room AC Marriott would be located adjacent to and just east of the Hampton Inn, 130 E. Front St., near the Blasco Library.
At a March 18 public hearing, City Council heard arguments for and against the project for roughly two hours.
Pros and cons; funding
Scott Enterprises representatives said the new hotel will be an upscale boost to Erie’s growing waterfront and an attraction for tourists and locals alike. The hotel, like the Hampton Inn, will also feature a bar/restaurant on its top floor.
However, a number of citizens expressed concerns about the development.
Those concerns included whether the hotel would block waterfront views; provide enough public access spaces; and pose a hazard to flying birds.
Funding for the hotel includes Scott Enterprises’ own money and $7.6 million already approved by the Erie City Revitalization & Improvement Zone or CRIZ Authority.
Contact Kevin Flowers atkflowers@timesnews.com. Follow him on X at@ETNflowers.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Planned hotel to have April 30 city council hearing. What to know