Marriott brand hotel will rise in Yonkers

A Kansas-based hotel developer plans this year to build its second hotel at the South Westchester Executive Park in Yonkers.

The estimated $24.5 million, 84,000 square-foot development by True North Hotel Group will add more than 150 rooms to the city”™s hospitality offerings when completed in 2015, Yonkers officials said in a press release. The planned Courtyard by Marriott inn will be built on a 2.9-acre undeveloped site directly across from True North”™s 144-room Residence Inn by Marriott at 7 Executive Boulevard.

City officials said the project is expected to begin in the next several months and be completed by mid-2015. About 250 workers will be employed during a 15-month construction period.  The hotel will create an estimated 50 full-time equivalent permanent jobs.

The Yonkers Industrial Development Agency board at its March 28 meeting initially approved, pending a public hearing, $670,000 in sales tax exemptions on materials used in the hotel construction and a $324,000 mortgage tax exemption for True North. The agency also authorized negotiation of a multiyear property tax abatement.

True North Group executives estimated annual hotel revenues will exceed $6 million within one year, contributing substantial sales and payroll taxes to the city of Yonkers.

The new Marriott hotel will have 110 king suites, 40 double rooms and accessible units for people with disabilities, and will include more than 3,000 square feet of meeting space in addition to restaurants.

“This will be the third hotel at the South Westchester Executive Park, and further enhances Yonkers as a destination for business and leisure travel,” Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano said in the press release. “This means more jobs for local residents and more revenues to fund essential services.”

Yonkers IDA President Ken Jenkins noted the development will add little or no additional demand for city services.  “It”™s a clear boost for the city”™s economy,” he said.

True North Hotel Group also plans to break ground this year in Fishkill on two Marriott brand hotels, a 74-room SpringHill Suites and a 126-room Residence Inn.