Committee to hold special meeting on proposed Marriott Hotel

The $50 million Marriott Hotel proposal will be considered at a special meeting of the Zoning and Neighborhood Development Committee meeting at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, said Alderman James Witkowiak, chairman of the committee.

Monday, the Historic Preservation Commission conditionally approved plans for the hotel planned for East Wisconsin Avenue and North Milwaukee Street. Construction of the 200-room hotel will require the razing of five buildings considered historic. The commission required that the developers maintain the facade of the buildings on Wisconsin Avenue and that the new building be set back 15 feet on the Milwaukee Street side.

The developers complained that the setback requirement makes the project unworkable. They are appealing to the Milwaukee Common Council. Ten of the 15 aldermen are needed to overturn the commission’s decision. The plans must first go to the committee before they can go to the council.

If approved in committee, it is expected that the council will vote on the proposal Jan. 19.

– Marie Rohde