Unt Hotel and Stadium Deal Announced!!!

GreenAlums · March 5, 2009

I hate to steal SUMG's thunder but just reported UNT/Denton and John Q Hammonds agreed on a multi level deal that would develop the stadium, hotel property and convention center for the university. I was able to confirm the arrangement from an inside source and that the deal has been working for a long time and is now being reported in local news medias. SUMG heard it on the radio on the way to the game tonight!

To dispell the rumor, the suites are not sold out.

Lets see where this takes us! Congrats to the UNT president and staff!!

GO MEAN GREEN!!

KingDL1 · March 5, 2009

Rick seems you were very right

NT03 · March 5, 2009

I hate to steal SUMG's thunder but just reported UNT/Denton and John Q Hammonds agreed on a multi level deal that would develop the stadium, hotel property and convention center for the university. I was able to confirm the arrangement from an inside source and that the deal has been working for a long time and is now being reported in local news medias. SUMG heard it on the radio on the way to the game tonight!
To dispell the rumor, the suites are not sold out.
Lets see where this takes us! Congrats to the UNT president and staff!!
GO MEAN GREEN!!

Ok I get it ... I was like wtf is a ounceddeal ann ???? Announced Deal.

So is John Q Hammonds a developer ? I guess that's a different agenda than what Manhatten construction will be doing , or will the 2 be working together on the development of the project ( new stadium) ?

Sorry in advance for my ignorance on the subject.

Edited March 5, 2009 by NT03

Zeke · March 5, 2009

http://www.jqhhotels.com/home.aspx

I want more details. HUGE news if true.

eulessismore · March 5, 2009

http://www.jqhhotels.com/home.aspx
I want more details. HUGE news if true.

Yeah, I was just looking at their site; agree with your assessment!

UNTflyer · March 5, 2009

http://www.pegasusnews.com/news/2009/mar/0...otiations-hote/

The University of North Texas System and City of Denton are entering into negotiations with John Q. Hammons for the development of a first-class, full-service hotel with meeting and convention facilities on the site of the former Radisson Hotel. The university-owned property, located at the intersection of I-35E and I-35W, serves as a visual gateway to UNT’s campus and the City of Denton.

“We’re pleased to be working with the City of Denton in this endeavor. An upscale hotel and convention center on UNT’s campus will contribute to our vibrant campus life, especially when it comes to athletic, academic and cultural events and employment opportunities for our students,” says President Gretchen M. Bataille. “Large university-sponsored conferences, which often had to be held elsewhere in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, will be brought to Denton."

The UNT System issued a request for redevelopment proposals in September 2008, seeking an experienced developer and operator to plan, finance, design, build and operate a hotel and convention facility. John Q. Hammons emerged as the preferred developer for the project. Negotiations leading to a project agreement, which are in the early stages, could take up to six months to complete. The city’s participation in the project would be limited to the convention center component only, creating a public-private development wherein hotel-motel occupancy taxes would supplement private funding. The hotel and convention facility would be operated by John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts, which is based in Springfield, Mo., and has more than 80 hotels under management.

“The city is excited to team up with the University of North Texas on a project that could have a significant economic impact on Denton,” says Denton Mayor Mark Burroughs. “Developing a convention center has been a goal of the community for some time now. The city has lost numerous opportunities to host large conferences, conventions and training seminars because we lack facilities large enough to accommodate them. This is an exciting opportunity for Denton.”

UNTflyer · March 5, 2009

Sorry, but I see nothing about the stadium here. Although, a deal like this would totally make sense.

GreenAlums · March 5, 2009

Sorry, but I see nothing about the stadium here. Although, a deal like this would totally make sense.

Does appear to be VERY heavy on the convention center side and non-existant on the stadium topic but....it's supposed to be there. The deal has more ink to dry but it does make sense. Like I said, let's see where this takes us.....

Edited March 5, 2009 by GreenAlums

UNT90 · March 5, 2009

It says six more months of negotiations. Will this delay the stadium construction?

eulessismore · March 5, 2009

It says six more months of negotiations. Will this delay the stadium construction?

Maybe it means UNT will take the time to figure out the terms of the contract, and not sign itself into a corner, like the City of Dallas did with the American Airlines Center deal.

Green to the Bone · March 5, 2009

Agreed, this seems to be a huge deal both for the university and the city. I've attended many professional conferences hosted by universities around the country. All the host colleges had outstanding convention space, and most had nice (or at least OK) on-campus hotels. All we have now is the Gateway Center, which is nice but not nearly big enough for a major conference. The ability to host such things is a great marketing assett for the U and a great opportunity for the hospitality management students.

And given the absence of any adjacent hotel other than that godawful weekly thing down by Taco Cabana, I've been wondering where the university has been putting up its distinguished guests. Bunking with the Tamsters? Or on Dr. B's sofa?

UNTflyer · March 5, 2009

Well, Denton does have a Holiday Inn Express now.

eulessismore · March 5, 2009

Agreed, this seems to be a huge deal both for the university and the city. I've attended many professional conferences hosted by universities around the country. All the host colleges had outstanding convention space, and most had nice (or at least OK) on-campus hotels. All we have now is the Gateway Center, which is nice but not nearly big enough for a major conference. The ability to host such things is a great marketing assett for the U and a great opportunity for the hospitality management students.
And given the absence of any adjacent hotel other than that godawful weekly thing down by Taco Cabana, I've been wondering where the university has been putting up its distinguished guests. Bunking with the Tamsters? Or on Dr. B's sofa?

I was wondering the exact same thing after seeing the Dave Brubeck Quartet perform at the MPAC for the second of their two concerts last week, and hearing Brubeck say how it had been "one of the most wonderful weeks". I immediately started thinking, "and sleeping where?". You don't just ask some world famous 80 (nearly 90 for Brubeck himself) year olds to roll out a sleeping bag on the President's floor, or to stay in Dallas northern suburbs and make that wonderful Dallas to Denton commute on Thursday and Friday nights.

Edited March 5, 2009 by eulessismore

NT80 · March 5, 2009

Great opportunity and potential for everyone if it comes together, especially if some stadium financing help is included.

Green to the Bone · March 5, 2009

I was wondering the exact same thing after seeing the Dave Brubeck Quartet perform at the MPAC for the second of their two concerts last week, and hearing Brubeck say how it had been "one of the most wonderful weeks". I immediately started thinking, "and sleeping where?". You don't just ask some world famous 80 (nearly 90 for Brubeck himself) year olds to roll out a sleeping bag on the President's floor, or to stay in Dallas northern suburbs and make that wonderful Dallas to Denton commute on Thursday and Friday nights.

Yep, I asked myself the same thing when I saw him in the first concert, which was astonishing, by the way, and as the music dean noted, couldn't have happened anywhere on earth except UNT. I'd be happy if the new hotel contained a VIP suite for world celebrities like Brubeck.

Or the presidents of universities here to play us in our new football stadium. Had to say that to keep this in the football forum.

NT03 · March 5, 2009

DRC

Mean Green Matt · March 5, 2009

When I first read this post, I thought John Q. Hammonds was the guy from Jurassic Park, and the deal was a complete joke, haha.

UNTFan23 · March 5, 2009

We have a John Q Hammons property here in Rogers, AR. Convention center is connected with an Embassy Suites hotel. First class facility.

Hotel website.

oldguystudent · March 5, 2009

Well, Denton does have a Holiday Inn Express now.

You mean this place?

holidaylodge$20sign.jpg

SilverEagle · March 5, 2009

Perhaps this high-end development is just the thing to inspire another big company to make a big committment to the stadium.

DallasGreen · March 5, 2009

Great opportunity and potential for everyone if it comes together, especially if some stadium financing help is included.

In the words of the chair of BOR last night no deal is done until it's signed and sealed. Still a waiting game in my view.

trud1966 · March 5, 2009

Has anyone checked with the Students for a Democratic Society to make sure they're ok with developing this new hotel? After all, I'm sure they havent heard about any of it until now... :lol:

KRAM1 · March 5, 2009

This is very good news....good things ARE happening at UNT! :rolleyes:

UNTflyer · March 5, 2009

Has anyone checked with the Students for a Democratic Society to make sure they're ok with developing this new hotel? After all, I'm sure they havent heard about any of it until now...

They'll probably demand that the CEO's salary be the same as the janitors.

Green Nightmare · March 5, 2009

And given the absence of any adjacent hotel other than that godawful weekly thing down by Taco Cabana, I've been wondering where the university has been putting up its distinguished guests. Bunking with the Tamsters? Or on Dr. B's sofa?

Part of the master plan for NT and TXDot calls for the demolition of that whole eyesore. Sack and Save on down to the Taco C.