Omaha Eyes Hilton Bonds

Omaha Mayor Jim Suttle last week said he wants the city to issue $35 million of revenue bonds to help finance an expansion of a Hilton hotel connected to the city’s convention center.

The City Council would need to approve the move. It is expected to consider the ordinance in July, according to local reports.

The 450-room hotel opened in 2004 next to the Qwest Center Omaha. The city owns the building and Hilton manages it. The city issued $110 million to finance the original facility.

The expansion would feature 150 new rooms, a second ballroom and 100 new parking spots. It’s needed to draw larger events to the center, officials said.

The project is expected to be finished by 2012 and would generate an additional $1 million in tax revenues for the city, according to proponents.

 “The Hilton Omaha has been the cornerstone of the city’s commitment to providing both present and future economic development opportunities,” Suttle said last week at a press conference with Hilton officials. “The expansion of the hotel is another milestone as we continue our quest as a national convention and special events destination.”

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