One Hotel Left

Now the only real question is: will Wilmington still need a consultant to choose from among the one left? ;)

StarNews:

The Wilmington City Council shouldn't have a tough time deciding who will build the convention center hotel now that three proposals for the project are down to one. Another developer is dropping out of the running to build the convention center hotel, leaving a proposed Sheraton as the likely choice.

Cape Fear Investments and Development LLC officials told Mayor Bill Saffo earlier this week they have concerns about getting financing to build a Crowne Plaza next to the newly opened convention center.

[...]According to the Wilmington Cape Fear Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, 25 convention center events have already been lost, at least in part for lack of an adjacent hotel. These 25 events represent 17,350 people and 23,455 room nights. (Isn't it just magical how they can predict this with such accuracy?)

And the choice quote of the article:

Padgett said if she had not been absent at the meeting where council voted to pay $25,000 for the consultant, she would have voted against it.

I've seen people who have had votes cast for them when they weren't there. Hmmmm....