X-radisson

[Will to Win]

On Friday UNTPD showed up and started changing the locks on the doors at the Radisson. There are about 35 people staying in the rooms and they will be leaving on Monday. After that, UNT will inventory the entire building "I was told this will take a couple of days" then I think an auction will be around the corner after that then...? Demolition I suppose?

I'm excited about this whole process and can't wait to see what will evolve!

[KingDL1]

On Friday UNTPD showed up and started changing the locks on the doors at the Radisson. There are about 35 people staying in the rooms and they will be leaving on Monday. After that, UNT will inventory the entire building "I was told this will take a couple of days" then I think an auction will be around the corner after that then...? Demolition I suppose?

I'm excited about this whole process and can't wait to see what will evolve!

I think we should throw a huge GMG Tailgating party for the implosion, or the beginning of the demolishing!

[FirefightnRick]

I was told back in April by THE source that it will be torn down some time after June 1st. Now I'm not so sure?

Rick

[KingDL1]

I was told back in April by THE source that it will be torn down some time after June 1st. Now I'm not so sure?

Rick

In all fairness sometime after June 1st can be a long time. Especially if you know that you can't shut down the hotel until the end of May/first of June.

I think things will start happening faster then we are used to.

I think I can bring some food and drinks and donate some more to a Bringing down the hotel party, Rick BBQ is pretty good!!

[GoMeanGreen1999]

I was told back in April by THE source that it will be torn down some time after June 1st. Now I'm not so sure?

Rick

I am not convinced it is coming down - hope your source is right.

[DeepGreen]

In all fairness sometime after June 1st can be a long time. Especially if you know that you can't shut down the hotel until the end of May/first of June.

I think things will start happening faster then we are used to.

I think I can bring some food and drinks and donate some more to a Bringing down the hotel party, Rick BBQ is pretty good!!

Even if it does come down on time, does anyone know what they will be replacing it with? I mean, do we have hard, factual evidence of what's going to replace the Radisson?

[CheckFacts]

UNT paid $4.56 million for a facility that is 22 years old and in decent enough shape to have recently had new Radison signs installed on it (though Radison has been declining in prestige)

the company that sold it wanted out because it was not as profitable as they would like if at all.....and they are a company that is in the business of running hotels for a profit

the real estate credit market is extremely tight right now

UNT has stated they believe a full service hotel conference center at or near that location is important.....even though business was slow enough the prior owners wanted out of a lease that was just extended from 2043 to 2053 about 3 years ago

what exactly will UNT do different and where exactly will UNT get the financing to demo a functional hotel with a decent name and build something new that will attract enough business to turn a profit.....when the current facility is not turning much if any of a profit and UNT has no experience in the hotel business

[NT80]

In all fairness sometime after June 1st can be a long time. Especially if you know that you can't shut down the hotel until the end of May/first of June.

I think things will start happening faster then we are used to.

I think I can bring some food and drinks and donate some more to a Bringing down the hotel party, Rick BBQ is pretty good!!

I'd rather have Fouts imploded if we're going to make a party out of it. I've seen nothing to indicate this new hotel or whatever it becomes will be tied to the new stadium in any form; only mentioned that UNT desires to have a nice hotel nearby for University functions.

[Side Show Joe]

On Friday UNTPD showed up and started changing the locks on the doors at the Radisson. There are about 35 people staying in the rooms and they will be leaving on Monday. After that, UNT will inventory the entire building "I was told this will take a couple of days" then I think an auction will be around the corner after that then...? Demolition I suppose?

I'm excited about this whole process and can't wait to see what will evolve!

Hey WtW, How did you get this great info? You got a source on the inside?

[KingDL1]

I'd rather have Fouts imploded if we're going to make a party out of it. I've seen nothing to indicate this new hotel or whatever it becomes will be tied to the new stadium in any form; only mentioned that UNT desires to have a nice hotel nearby for University functions.

We can't have two parties? I can't get enough tailgating practice any good excuse works for me.

I have heard they are very tied together, so have others. I guess we will see!

[NT80]

We can't have two parties? I can't get enough tailgating practice any good excuse works for me.

I have heard they are very tied together, so have others. I guess we will see!

I agree we do need to implode something up there, might as well start with this for practice.

The new hotel or whatever is probably linked somehow to the new stadium and the future development of that area, but the frustrating part is the how and when we'll find out the link. Tired of the wait.....

[ADLER]

Current UNT plans for Radisson and Holiday Inn info

Holiday Inn on foreclosure list, could be sold in June

Denton’s only remaining full-service hotel could be in jeopardy.

Holiday Inn, which opened in Denton 14 months ago, is on this month’s foreclosure list and could be sold at auction June 3, according to information released Friday by Foreclosure Listing Service Inc. ......

The Holiday Inn is Denton’s only remaining hotel with conference rooms and dining services since the Radisson hotel is set to close within a week.

The University of North Texas agreed with Radisson owners in March to end their partnership of more than 20 years. UNT hired an interim management company in April and plans to close the hotel for good June 1.

UNT leaders have said that having a full-service hotel near campus is important.

To organize the closing, UNT hired Milton “Pat” Howell as a consultant. Howell served as associate vice president for facilities at the university from 2001 until his retirement in 2005.

Howell said the university is still weighing what to do with the old hotel building, but it is not interested in buying the Holiday Inn because “it is outside the range of our master plan.”

Howell said that when the university closes the old Radisson, it plans to leave the utilities on and keep a security force so the building will stay in good shape.

He said UNT leaders are still considering whether to remodel the existing building, expand it or tear it down.

“I just can’t give a definite answer on that,” he said. “We’re still exploring all our options.”

[untbowler]

this is getting tiring that UNT still has bunch of what ifs and not sure what to do people in leadership, whatever happened to leaders actually having vision. Just another boondoggle by UNT officials in a long line. I have only been a UNT fan for 10 years and I already have tired head due to the inept leadership that has been show for those 10 years.

Just make a decision and do it.

[DeepGreen]

Current UNT plans for Radisson and Holiday Inn info

He said UNT leaders are still considering whether to remodel the existing building, expand it or tear it down.

“I just can’t give a definite answer on that,” he said. “We’re still exploring all our options.”

Unbelievable. How long will UNT sit on this project before they decide on an option? This is poor planning, plain and simple. This is the kind of stuff that CheckFacts has been preaching.

[Will to Win]

Hey WtW, How did you get this great info? You got a source on the inside?

Was there yesterday (Saturday) and UNT (UNT employee) had an alarm person running cable for an alarm system that I guess UNT will be monitoring? I know starting on Monday that there will be only one entry point into the building, coupled with the new or updated or repaired alarm system

means I guess they just want to protect from theft while they figure out what the next move is.

Answer to a previous post, the back of the house is in BAD shape, real bad shape. Holes, mold, torn carpet, broken down kitchen equipment, peeling wallpaper, rusted door frames etc...

Front of the house is not bad. It's been updated.

Exterior of building is definitely showing signs of age. Lots of cracks, large holes (openings to the inside of the building), facade falling apart, at some locations: exposed wall insulation.

Overall: It's in bad shape! I don't see them keeping the building as is.

[Green Gas]

Was there yesterday (Saturday) and UNT (UNT employee) had an alarm person running cable for an alarm system that I guess UNT will be monitoring? I know starting on Monday that there will be only one entry point into the building, coupled with the new or updated or repaired alarm system

means I guess they just want to protect from theft while they figure out what the next move is.

Answer to a previous post, the back of the house is in BAD shape, real bad shape. Holes, mold, torn carpet, broken down kitchen equipment, peeling wallpaper, rusted door frames etc...

Front of the house is not bad. It's been updated.

Exterior of building is definitely showing signs of age. Lots of cracks, large holes (openings to the inside of the building), facade falling apart, at some locations: exposed wall insulation.

Overall: It's in bad shape! I don't see them keeping the building as is.

I want blowing up the hotel tee shirts, say a squadron of fighter/bomber eagles dropping their mean green eggs on target. Let the multiuse venue/stadium begin!!!

[hickoryhouse]

UNT paid $4.56 million for a facility that is 22 years old and in decent enough shape to have recently had new Radison signs installed on it (though Radison has been declining in prestige)

the company that sold it wanted out because it was not as profitable as they would like if at all.....and they are a company that is in the business of running hotels for a profit

the real estate credit market is extremely tight right now

UNT has stated they believe a full service hotel conference center at or near that location is important.....even though business was slow enough the prior owners wanted out of a lease that was just extended from 2043 to 2053 about 3 years ago

what exactly will UNT do different and where exactly will UNT get the financing to demo a functional hotel with a decent name and build something new that will attract enough business to turn a profit.....when the current facility is not turning much if any of a profit and UNT has no experience in the hotel business

Speaking as a professional in that particular industry, there are many reasons that hotels do not do well and outdated, and dilapidated facilities rank among the top of that list. The Radisson is definitely tops in both of those categories. Not saying that those are the main reasons for that building to not produce the kind of RevPAR that should be expected from a 300 Rm full service property but it definitely is a player in the decline of the business.

As far as the real estate market being low that can actually be a god thing for hoteliers. Hotel owners play in the Real Estate market more than they do in the lodging market, there is more money there. "Purchasing" that building for that money seems to be a fairly good deal due to the fact that the note on that building is already owned by UNT. With the market being low and interest rates following suit, UNT can refinance the building, as many hotel owners do, in order to gain extra capital for whatever project they choose to attack next. Most Hoteliers purchase hotels not so they can make money on room rates, but so that they can make their money work for them by obtaining what essentially amounts to a Home Equity loan and turning that around for future projects. The building is 20 years old and if this is the plan of UNT it will be a big step in whatever future endeavors NT has for that area.

As far as experience running a hotel... That is a bit over rated. There are many companies that have expressed interest in that piece of land. Being such a focal point (intersection of 35E and W) it is a great place for brand exposure. NT is a huge campus and Denton is growing by leaps and bounds. Having a nice hotel in town is an important thing and these hotel management companies know that. UNT will not run the building by themselves, to do so would be foolish they will have to hire a management company. On the flip side, however, due to the location the hotel mgmt co. will be requested to front money for the construction and marketing of the property. The business is complex and there is more to it than past performance, you have to understand why the building was performing poorly and what needs to be done to fix that. Was it Management, was it upkeep, was it location, was it product offerings, was it price etc... Conversely, future potential has to be taken into account as well. If a new hotel is going to be constructed now would be the time to begin when getting money is cheap.

Was there yesterday (Saturday) and UNT (UNT employee) had an alarm person running cable for an alarm system that I guess UNT will be monitoring? I know starting on Monday that there will be only one entry point into the building, coupled with the new or updated or repaired alarm system

means I guess they just want to protect from theft while they figure out what the next move is.

Answer to a previous post, the back of the house is in BAD shape, real bad shape. Holes, mold, torn carpet, broken down kitchen equipment, peeling wallpaper, rusted door frames etc...

Front of the house is not bad. It's been updated.

Exterior of building is definitely showing signs of age. Lots of cracks, large holes (openings to the inside of the building), facade falling apart, at some locations: exposed wall insulation.

Overall: It's in bad shape! I don't see them keeping the building as is.

I agree, I toured that property in the past 6 months myself and it is in incredibly poor shape. It is not so bad to be condemned as it were, but it is bad enough that renovation might prove to be too costly and that the benefits of new construction will outweigh the savings of renovation.

[DallasGreen]

You have to be willing to take a chance. Remodeling is stupid. Look to someone Like Starwood who now has Westin, Sheraton, W @ Victory, and just opened the Joule in Dallas. Even has plans for a St. Regis in Uptown. You think they aren't rolling some dice? Go in with confidence not a sense of impending failure by remodeling. Let me throw out this tidbit. DMN writer, Steve Blow, suggested that since the city of Dallas is proposing to build a downtown hotel, why not have a casino in Reunion Arena? Casino gambling is coming to Texas. We will NOT continue to fund the states of OK and LA!!!! Plan for it now. The actual casino need not be on school property just near the hotel. The stadium adjacent would also be a great entertainment venue better even than AAC. Just dreaming as this takes far more foresight than our leaders can muster. Leave it to them to take the safest and cheapest venue. That to me would be a totally gutless decision--but hey they are even afraid to stand up to the students on a fee increase unlike Lamar, UTSA, and TX ST @ San Marcos!

Edited June 1, 2008 by DallasGreen

[DeepGreen]

Just dreaming as this takes far more foresight than our leaders can muster. Leave it to them to take the safest and cheapest venue. That to me would be a totally gutless decision--but hey they are even afraid to stand up to the students on a fee increase unlike Lamar, UTSA, and TX ST @ San Marcos!

Couldn't have said it better. Until proven differently, whether it's stadiums or hotels, those are my feelings towards our university.

[UNT_playmaker]

Im definitely down for some early tailgating. Hopefully the implosion team can be bribed to take down Fouts instead of the Radisson. I wouldnt mind having our home games at the Denton ISD stadium instead of at Fouts.

UNT will allow a company to build a large hotel and convention center at the property. It will be an Embassy Suites or top name hotel.

[GoMeanGreen1999]

Im definitely down for some early tailgating. Hopefully the implosion team can be bribed to take down Fouts instead of the Radisson. I wouldnt mind having our home games at the Denton ISD stadium instead of at Fouts.

UNT will allow a company to build a large hotel and convention center at the property. It will be an Embassy Suites or top name hotel.

I think the DISD stadium only holds 10,000, otherwise, I wouldn't mind either.

[UNT_playmaker]

It's 14,000 to 15,000, which is approximately what fouts holds right now, without the alumnium stands that are actually Crystal Pepsi cans recycled from the early 90's.

[MeanGreen61]

It's 14,000 to 15,000, which is approximately what fouts holds right now, without the alumnium stands that are actually Crystal Pepsi cans recycled from the early 90's.

Fouts holds 20,000 excluding the end-zone bleachers.

[agw0038]

So I haven't been on in a while.... let me get this straight... there going to tear down the Radisson just to build another hotel? Where again is our new stadium going? I'm confused.... i thought thats why we were tearing all this crap down....

[GoMeanGreen1999]

So I haven't been on in a while.... let me get this straight... there going to tear down the Radisson just to build another hotel? Where again is our new stadium going? I'm confused.... i thought thats why we were tearing all this crap down....

Just keep asking questions - thats what most of us do these days when it comes to the property across I-35. No one really seems to know, and those who do know are tight-lipped, so you will just have to sit back and watch the drama I suppose.