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Pine Bluff Urban Renewal plans to buy Plaza Hotel, transfer ownership to convention center


The Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency plans to buy the Plaza Hotel and transfer ownership to the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission. (Photo: Pine Bluff Commercial/Ray King){p}{/p}
The Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency plans to buy the Plaza Hotel and transfer ownership to the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission. (Photo: Pine Bluff Commercial/Ray King)

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Pine Bluff Urban Renewal Agency plans to buy the Plaza Hotel, which is attached to the convention center, then transfer ownership to the Civic Auditorium Complex Commission reports KATV content partner the Pine Bluff Commercial.

On Tuesday, the commission reportedly unanimously approved a resolution accepting the deal.

The condition of the hotel, called the Hotel and Suites at 2 Convention Center Drive, "harms the recruitment of conventions and entertainment that will have a significant economic impact on the city of Pine Bluff, " says the resolution.

Convention Center Director Joseph McCorvy said the commission plans to take ownership of the property in six months after extensive renovations are completed, reports the Commerical.

“After the renovations are complete, we will be able to get the convention center back in play to attract tournaments and conventions,” he said. "We’ve lost a lot of business because the hotel is in disrepair."

The renovations are expected to take 14 to 18 months with the cost between eight and ten million dollars.

Paying for renovations is requested as a budget priority for 2020 with the Advertising and Promotion Commission asked to designate the debt service associated with a bond issued by the Civic Auditorium.

The resolution will go to the full council Monday indicates that a feasibility study says a renovated hotel is profitable and would harm the A&P Commission if revenues from the hotel are less profitable.

McCorvy said the commission will prepare a request for qualifications for operating the facility with the hope of attracting a major chain like Marriott or Hilton to the city.

"It’s only 200 rooms but with the casino hotel going up and the other properties here, Pine Bluff will be able to handle 500 or more people for conventions," said CEO of Go Forward Pine Bluff Ryan Watley.

“Plus, unlike bigger cities, it’s a lot easier to move around in Pine Bluff and shuttle service can move people around," he said.

Watley and McCorvy mentioned the potential for the hotel along with starting with the recently opened Aquatic Center.

"Pine Bluff is in a position to get a much needed economic boost and also more jobs," McCorvy said.

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