US GP in Austin Discussion and Speculation...

Hotel talk, in addition to the new Hyatt Place 300 rooms getting started now for a Q1 2013 opening.



http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=192074

AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL APPROVES $4.3 MILLION FEE WAIVER PACKAGE TOWARDS THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE MARRIOTT MARQUIS CONVENTION HOTEL

Merrillville, IN (July 1, 2011) - White Lodging Services Corporation announced today after Austin city council approval of a $4.3 million fee waiver package that it will build a 1,003-room, 26-story Marriott Marquis in downtown Austin. With the project equity commitment already secured through internal sources and with the support of the city, the largest hotel in Austin will be developed and managed by White Lodging and owned by White Lodging affiliates. Construction is set to begin June 1, 2012 and the Marriott Marquis is scheduled to open in January 2015.

Located in the heart of downtown on Congress Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets, the Marriot Marquis is two blocks from the Austin Convention Center and poised to take the City of Austin to a new level in the national convention and meeting market. Plans for the hotel include 104,000 square feet of flexible meeting, banquet and exhibition space, multiple food and beverage venues, 374 underground parking spaces, and a 4,500 square foot fitness center.

"We believe this project will make a very positive statement for the City in the eyes of national meeting planners and, in turn, will induce more incremental group business to downtown Austin," said Deno Yiankes, White Lodging's President and CEO of Investments & Development. "In today's environment, a project of this scale will not get completed without the required cash equity in place and thankfully, our owners have committed the internal funds to get this project built."

 

Not sure if these are already in the 100+ pages or not...
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V8s
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My pardner is measuring up his yard for Ferrari Corral Parking, overflow and non Fcars will have to make a beer run to the HEB at Congress at Oltorf.

 

That's nice!

Keep your head down under the blades and exit at 90 degrees to the axis of the craft.

 

I'll be at the Homestead Inn in New Bransfels....fluffy pillows, dance hall girls from Gruene, and an all you can eat breckfast buffet..

 

That's similar but somewhat larger than The Marriott at the Capitol I was involved in, years ago....Austin's skyline changes again.

I might bid that one...

 

Jersey? Really? Come on. We all know Bernie really wants to be on Manhattan.

 

Simon beat me to the Jersey post, but here is the proposed site per the WSJ article:
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from that article...

Don't see any F1 race meeting that qualifier......

Not other than the aerial pictures from the last week in july. The guy who runs the Friends of Formula 1 Austin Facebook page is setting up a live webcam soon though.....

 

Pics from Skyscrapercity.com
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http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/265963/united-states-gp-set-for-november-date/

United States GP set for November date

10 August 2011
The returning United States Grand Prix is set for a significant date change, with Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone confirming his plans to place the event much further into the 2012 season. Instead of its original June 17 slot, the Austin race will now go ahead on November 18, when temperatures have fallen in the state of Texas.

The adjustment will not be considered official until being passed by the World Motor Sports Council, but USGP Chairman Tavo Hellmund was delighted with the development, arguing that it demonstrates how important the race is to the sport.


"I have been hoping for a late season race date since this project began and see this as a very positive sign from Formula 1 that it wants its U.S. event to be an over-the-top success," Hellmund explained. "Mr. Ecclestone has dozens of competing issues to consider when it comes to the race calendar.

"He has to balance the interests of the teams with those of the promoters and even consider the unique situation of each host country. To put our race near the end of the schedule puts us in a prime spot to welcome the world next year - and I could not be more personally and professionally appreciative."

"The Mayor’s input regarding Central Texas’ air quality during the summer months was obviously important to Formula 1 management," added circuit President Steve Sexton, "and to their credit, they listened and have responded."

"First and foremost, we want our fans to have a great experience when they come here. The prospect of milder weather makes that more likely. It also gives us time to better prepare our staff and the thousands of volunteers who will be supporting Formula One race week festivities."

 

Change those reservations....

No worries on my party plans.......heard from the homeowner today, in fact.

I'll need a list of Fchatters and we'll make some sort of nametag/badge....

 

Cool news about the V8 supercars but I want more photo updates!!

 

The weather is going to be PERFECT! and having it closer to the end of the season will be that much sweeter!! 2012 Austin here i come

 

I wished they had delayed the announcement. Since hotels won't allow year+ reservations, the operators will certainly jack the rates through the roof.

 

Bad for us but good for the hotels. Let them make their money. Thats "part of the deal" in getting the public investment and local goodwill toward F1.

 

Bingo.

While I hate the jacked up rates, at least that's something I can deal with (and am used to from Montreal etc). What made me always mad as hell were the hotels in Indianapolis who would just block reserve their beds for the weekend: Not even jacked up prices would get you in. The only way was to buy an entire package. Hopefully it won't come to this with Austin.

 

...glad to see the detractors are alive and well...LOL

 

It's been over four years since Indy, so I guess inflation maybe to blame...but the hotel rates for the Austin June race dates were/are obscene by comparison.

 

I paid $ 300 a night for a 2 star motel in Montreal. On Saturday (of the race weekend) a guest was trying to get a room from the concierge. He finally got it at $ 600. That was the most ridiculous room rate I've ever seen.

 

So what you're saying is we should reserve a few F-Chat rooms to pile multiple people into for the weekend???

Mark


PS: I am actually thinking of renting an RV and driving down for the week but it might be too long of a drive to really enjoy.

 

Fly to dallas, rent one there