Local News

How suite it is: Rock Falls hotel opens

Holiday Inn is not only good for the business landscape, but the riverfront’s as well

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ROCK FALLS – The city observed a milestone today in its ongoing journey to make the riverfront a destination point.

Holiday Inn Express & Suites at 301 E. Second St., the riverfront's christened redevelopment anchor, opened 1 day short of 2 years after plans for the project were publicly announced. Delays drove up the cost for the Rock Falls Hotel Group from about $6.1 million to $7.5 million.

Just a few minutes on an inviting patio overlooking the river, however, made city officials believe the hotel was worth the wait.

"There seemed to be one thing after the other through the construction process, but the end product is very good, and we think the hotel is going to be well-received," Mayor Bill Wescott said.

At about noon, staff at the 68-room hotel were looking to clear the final operational hurdle.

"We're just waiting for everything to be ready at the front desk so people can check in," General Manager Amy Poci said.

Word came at about 4 p.m. that all of the technology was properly connected with the parent company's mainframe. Reservations were taken online prior to the opening.

"The online bookings have been going very well," Poci said. "We've had a lot of weddings, and there has been a good mix of leisure and business travelers."

Some work will continue after the opening. Landscapers were working feverishly to fill in the green space, and crews were handling some last-minute details, such as hanging mirrors in the fitness room.

Poci said the hotel staff is at 18, but after gauging demand, it's likely that number will grow.

Poci and Becky Gragert, the assistant general manager, were busy with all of the finishing touches, but both are seasoned veterans – Poci has been in the hospitality business for 15 years, and Gragert for a decade.

"Every time somebody would come in the door, I would get excited and say that I can't wait until we're open, because I know we're ready," Gragert said.

The mayor said, that after many years of cleaning up the riverfront, the psychological importance of the hotel's presence is huge.

"So much work and money have gone into dealing with all of the environmental issues in the last 13 or 14 years," Wescott said. "Many people have been involved, and it's to their credit that they kept the vision that someday we might be able to redevelop the riverfront."

Wescott reflected on a presentation the city made at the National Brownfields Conference in September.

"The EPA told us that we had accomplished something that rarely happens," Wescott said. "They said that most cities never do that last step and actually redevelop brownfield sites."

The sense of urgency to develop around the hotel hasn't waned, Wescott said.

"We expect to announce more commercial activity in Rock Falls soon along the First Avenue corridor, and look for opportunities to arise from the city's recent acquisition of property near the I-88 interchange."

Whiteside County Economic Development Director Gary Camarano said the hotel is a great example of using available incentives, such as the TIF district and enterprise zone, to spur growth.

"The addition of Holiday Inn Express to the area's lodging lineup makes the region more attractive to tourism, and it is a significant enhancement to what is becoming the gateway to the Whiteside County region," Camarano said.

City officials had a bid meeting Thursday to get things moving on the first phase of the nearby greenspace project. The initial phase includes replacing the gravel near the hotel with a concrete road, trail work behind it, riprap, landscaping, lighting, and security cameras.

The second phase would include the amphitheater – the project's crown jewel. The mayor still holds out hope that the amphitheater can be part of the city's 150th anniversary celebration next year. The city hopes to have the first phase completed by the end of July, and the second installment by spring 2017.

THE HOTEL'S AMENITIES

• Patio overlooking the river

• Private balconies facing the river

• Complimentary hot breakfast, seating area

• 24-hour sundry shop with beer and wine

• Fitness center

• Indoor pool

• Meeting room

• 24-hour business center

• 24-hour coffee station

• High-speed Internet

• Guest laundry

• Refrigerators, microwaves in every room

Go to hiexpress.com to book a room.