City of Paducah announces hotel project next to convention center | Community Spirit

PADUCAH, KY (KFVS) - At a news conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Paducah Mayor Bill Paxton introduced the developers who are working on a proposed downtown project adjacent to the Julian Carroll Convention Center.

The City of Paducah, and its downtown development agency, Paducah Riverfront Development Authority, have been pursuing a hotel project for several years. For a little more than a year, the city and PRDA have worked with Senate Hospitality of Nashville, Tenn., as well as Louisville, Kentucky-based developers, David Puckett and Todd Clark.

“We are excited to name the developers we have been working with.  Much remains to be done, but we think they are the right fit for this project because of their collective strengths as developers and as hotel and convention center managers," Paxton said. "They have a great understanding of Paducah and our downtown market. Plus, they share our vision for the future.”

The hotel planned for the site next to the Julian Carroll Convention Center will be a 121-room branded upscale hotel with a restaurant and bar. The hotel will be attached to the Julian Carroll Convention Center with a pedestrian bridge over the floodwall. Parking will be available adjacent to the hotel and on a portion of the former Executive Inn site. The total project will cost approximately $18 million. The developers currently are working on finalizing their financing package. In 2013, the City Commission will approve incentives that will include a combination of land and infrastructure improvements. Developers plan to break ground in 2013 with a hotel opening in the summer or fall of 2014. 

“For the entire time I have been Mayor, 12 years, I have pursued a new hotel downtown," Paxton said. "This project will help secure the convention center business and attract downtown visitors for years to come. The annual economic impact will be in the millions. It’s just the right thing for us to do.” 

The former convention center hotel, the Executive Inn, closed in 2008 after utilities were disconnected for non-payment. The financially troubled hotel reopened briefly in April 2009 but closed for good that summer.

Senate Hospitality principals are Dave Jones, CEO and Glenn Malone, CFO. Senate is a hotel management company specializing in full service hotels and convention center operations. Jones and Malone have a combined 60 years of experience in the hotel industry. Senate Hospitality is the owner/operator of the $40 million Westin Hotel along Beale Street in Memphis.

Puckett and Clark, along with Phil Higdon of Paducah, developed the Coleman Crossing Hotel Park. The 35-acre commercial development along I-24 in Paducah is home to the Hampton Inn, Marriott Residence Inn, Candlewood Suites, and the Marriott Fairfield Inn. Puckett also develops commercial properties throughout the southeastern United States.

A&K Construction of Paducah will be the contractor for the hotel project.  

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