JAMESTOWN – After several delays, the DoubleTree By Hilton is finally open officially.
Mark Hamister of the Hamister Group, LLC. spoke during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday morning at the East Fourth Street hotel, along with the hotel’s General Manager Brandon Wade, County Executive George Borrello and Jamestown mayor Sam Teresi. Additionally, Angela Rossi of the Empire State Development spoke on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo during the event.
“We’re proud our family is re-entering Jamestown, especially during this particular time when the community has brought itself together in a public-private partnership to really do something special here in Jamestown and in this county,” Hamister said. Hamister credited Jamestown business Artone, LLC for constructing the furniture.
Hamister credited Teresi and Director of Development Vince DeJoy for their part in the project, particularly for “frankly being honest” during the process. Hamister also said that he’s thankful for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s “understanding” of private-public partnerships.
“We’ve got the great fortune in this state of having a Governor that understand the importance of private-public partnerships, and understands the importance of developing a culture and an economy that drives jobs,” Hamister said. “We are, particularly, appreciative that Governor Cuomo has stepped forward and assisted through Empire State Development in bringing this project into reality.”
“It (the hotel) re-imagines an important downtown building, and supports major recent investments, such as the new National Comedy Center, the Lucy Desi Museum and Reg Lenna Civic Center For The Arts,” Rossi added. Rossi recognized the efforts by the Department of State, as well as State Senator Cathy Young and State Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who weren’t in attendance.
Rossi said the Hamister Group received $2.4 million dollars in DRI Capital Grant funds, and an additional $200,000 grant through the Empire State Development.
Hamister acknowledged that the process was long, but he said the quality of the hotel was worth the time it took to renovate.
“It’s been a long road,” Hamister said. “We understood the importance of Jamestown having a very special hotel in its hub…I would like to thank each and every person from our corporate headquarters, to members of my family, to members of the staff here at DoubleTree, all of whom worked extremely hard, along with local officials and local manufacturers, who put their blood, sweat and tears into this building to make it a reality.”
“Patience is a virtue,” Teresi added when discussing the project’s length.
Wade, in addition, thanked his staff for their work, particularly as opening day approached.
Hamister added his thanks for the community, itself, for the private-public partnership that is “affective for the City of Jamestown and this county.”
Borrello said the opening was a great moment for Chautauqua County, as a whole.
“This is a great day for Chautauqua County, and it’s really a great day for tourism and hospitality throughout our area,” Borrello said. “This was a labor of love for the Hamisters.”
Pearl City Hops, located inside the hotel, is a full service gastro-inspired restaurant and tavern featuring local brewery creations and select regional fare.
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