Waukesha - A 6-acre downtown site along the Fox River between Waukesha State Bank and Barstow St. and across from the city's transit center on St. Paul Ave. is being pitched as a potential location for a new convention center hotel, according to Mayor Jeff Scrima.
In an email late Friday afternoon, Scrima distributed a survey on behalf of Partners in Development, which prepares market demand and feasibility analysis for developments by others or itself.
Scrima said the site is a step ahead of others because of the RiverWalk, the transit center with plentiful parking, and a site that is close to downtown shopping, restaurants and arts. He said he contacted the Florida-based firm after referral from other convention center developers.
In his cover letter for the business survey prepared by Partners in Development, Scrima asked for feedback on a potential development and encouraged recipients to forward the survey to others.
John Weeman, a former Hilton Hotels Corp. development manager and founder of Partners in Development, said Friday that in addition to Scrima's distribution, the survey is also being sent out by Carroll University. About 1,200 surveys were being circulated, he estimated.
Partners in Development has not developed any convention centers in Wisconsin but has listed market demand analyses for clients among its work products. It partnered with the city as a lead developer in the adaptive reuse of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City.
Despite the current economic climate, Weeman said conditions are favorable because a development such as this would create more economic development and jobs.
Weeman said results will be compiled in about two or three months.