Coronavirus spread delays opening of Kansas City’s new convention hotel
Kansas City’s long-awaited convention hotel will push back its grand opening because of concerns about the spread of the novel coronavirus, the company announced Friday.
Crews last month were putting finishing touches on the 24-story Loews Kansas City Convention Center Hotel at 1515 Wyandotte St. It was set to open April 2.
But in a statement, the company said it decided to delay the opening for the well-being of its staff and guests.
“At the core of our company, is being a good neighbor in good times and in tough times,” the statement said. “We will be spending these next weeks doing just that, as we immerse ourselves in the community, lending hands and support wherever and whenever is needed.”
No new grand opening date was announced.
Kansas City leaders sought for years to put a new convention hotel downtown to increase activity at the convention center, Bartle Hall. They gave developers hefty subsidies, including tax-increment financing, or TIF, and a community improvement district.
The city’s annual budget also spends another $4.4 million for catering and management contracts at the hotel, including some money from the general fund because of declines in the city’s hotel-motel tax revenue.
In the city’s budget, that funding source was expected to decline more than $1 million next year, a decline likely to be worse than expected as groups cancel conventions in Kansas City because of the virus.
