Mixed reviews for hotel

Apublic meeting concerning a proposed hotel at New Gower, Springdale and Pleasant streets drew about 30 people to St. John’s city hall Tuesday night.

The meeting was the second concerning a 12-storey hotel being proposed by Manga Hotels. The property, owned by Manga, must be rezoned from residential to commercial to allow a hotel. An initial application was met with fierce opposition by some residents in the neighbourhood. The company then spent a period meeting with residents of the area and listening to their concerns.

The meeting Tuesday discussed a revised plan which made some structural and superficial changes to the building in an attempt to meet those concerns, which include noise, traffic and privacy loss. However, the proposal was still for a 12 storey hotel.

More than a half a dozen people voiced their opinions and there was both support and opposition for the building. It was evident people who had opposed the building before — mainly people in the immediate residential area — were not swayed by the changes.

Bryan Harris from Pleasant Street wasn’t in agreement, though he did say some things are better in the revised application.

“There’s been some improvements,” he said. “The fact of the matter is it’s still right on our doorstep.”

Harris said he would like to see a downtown park put in the area, but he was well aware of the fact that Manga Hotels wasn’t likely to do that with the property.

If the site is rezoned and the hotel goes through, a second phase of the lot development potentially involves a residential high-rise building.

The issue will be voted on during a future St. John’s city council meeting.