The hotel and condominium development slated for land adjacent to the Prince George Public Library remains dormant but is not dead, according to the project's main proponent.
Asked for an update this week, Rod McLeod gave much the same answer he provided nearly six months ago.
"We're at the same point," he said. "We're still going through some design changes."
But he also provided further detail on what is now in mind for the site - namely a larger hotel than originally planned, with a separate condominium and commercial project on an adjacent parcel.
When first made public in April 2012, the intention was to build an eight floor hotel, large enough to hold 136 rooms, topped by five floors of condominiums, adding up to 34 units, on a 1.72-acre plot along Brunwick Street, previously used as parking for the old Prince George RCMP detachment.
The adjacent 0.84-acre plot across 10th Avenue at Patricia Boulevard was to be used for parking and a small commercial project.
But by the time the foundation was poured - work on that phase began in October and ended early this year - they were looking at a 170-room hotel covering a larger footprint, with enough underground parking for 98 vehicles, up from 56.
The hotel now stands at 162,991 square feet, 31,521 square feet more than first planned, to accommodate more convention and conference space, with the main floor about 7,000 square larger.
The Patricia Boulevard property is now being eyed for the condominium project, which could add up to 150 units, "if everything was approved and done," with about 20,000 square feet of commercial space on the ground floor. All of that will sit on top of a separate underground parking facility.
Contrary to rumours he's heard, McLeod said the foundation is in good condition. Documents show it passed a final inspection by the city and earned approval from a structural engineer.
McLeod did not make any promises on when construction will resume.
"We've only got one chance to do it right, so that's why the caution is here, to take the time to do it right," McLeod said.
Much of the design work involves figuring out how to tie the two properties into the city's traffic and utility systems. Whether there will be one or two levels of underground parking will be put in place at the Patricia property is also still to be determined.
The hotel is being built by River City Hotel Inc. while McLeod said a separate company, River City Ventures Inc., will build the condominium and commercial complex.
He said construction of the hotel will take about 18 months while a further two months or so will be needed to get everything in place to start its operation. Delta Hotels and Resorts confirmed this week it remains a partner in the project and will operate the hotel once it's completed.
"We are looking forward to working with the ownership group and to open the Delta Prince George," a company spokesperson said in an e-mail.
