Amico Construction revealed plans last week for a riverfront hotel, condominium and residential property development that will equate to an investment of $120 million in the community according to the Windsor Star.
"It's a dream come true. I'm overwhelmed, the impact a project like this will have on the town."
Amherstburg Mayor | Aldo DiCarlo
This was the second hotel project announcement in two days for a town that currently has no hotels.
Amico's hotel which will be a boutique-style inn is expected to be built on waterfront property next to the former Duffy's Tavern property which is planned for re-development by the town as park space with a festival plaza.
The hotel will have 60 to 100 rooms with construction expected to begin next summer. This all depends on the completion of final negotiations with an unnamed operator according to Cindy Prince, Vice-president of development for Amico.
"Amico knows this is a heritage district so we are taking time with the hotel proposal to make sure it fits with the town's heritage goals. We have to sit down with the heritage committee to see what they want the look and feel to be so that it complements the area."
Vice-president of development for Amico | Cindy Prince
Plans to build two five-storey condo buildings of about 75 units each will be across the street on vacant lands owned by Amico. The development company is hoping that zoning bylaw changes and site planning will be finished early in the new year with construction to begin next fall. The total investment for the hotel and condo projects is roughly $105 million.
Amico also is waiting for a final decision on whether it can proceed on the creation of 200 new building lots at the south end of Boblo Island. This will be handed down by Ontario's Local Planning Appeal Tribunal. This project would bring an additional $15 million of investment by Amico.
The announcement of Amico's investment came one day after another announcement of a $10 million hotel that will be constructed elsewhere in town. This will be a Quality Inn and Suites built by local firm Nor-Built Construction on six acres at Simcoe Street and Meloche Road.
"Amico's investment is a tremendous announcement for the town. It demonstrates how the decision to acquire Duffy's was the right decision for the town. You are talking about $105 million investment in the downtown core of Amherstburg. That's an incredible announcement for us that will bring a lot of people into the core and make this a better place to live."
Amherstburg CAO | John Miceli
Per Windsor CTV News, officials say Amico's investment will not only create a significant tax base that the town presently does not have, but will also create a number of local construction jobs in the building of the hotel, the condominiums and new homes, and resulting in permanent jobs in the downtown as a spinoff.
