It’s cold, snowy and yucky outside so, to keep our spirits up, we think of pleasant times to come. We think of sun, warm weather and what we expect will be a hot spot in Rockford.
Construction crews are busy at the Hilton Embassy Suites and Rockford Conference Center, i.e., the Gorman Hotel, in downtown Rockford. The $87.5 million project has been years in the making and is scheduled to be completed by December 2019.
The hotel will be a major piece in the downtown puzzle that has been looking better every day. The UW Health Sports Factory is one of the centerpieces of downtown’s rebirth, and new restaurants and shops are popping up to complement existing favorites. Developers such as Justin Fern and Peter Provenzano always seem to have projects in the works to improve downtown and the nearby areas. There's no shortage of enthusiasm for downtown Rockford.
Remember when it was neglected and forgotten and there was nothing there for people? The conversation has changed to “why does everything have to be downtown?”
The answer is because downtowns are what make cities unique. Downtowns are the hearts of cities and if you have a strong heart, the rest of the body will be vibrant as well.
Locally owned and operated shops and restaurants create experiences that give downtowns the buzz that keeps people coming back.
The biggest buzz of all for Rockford will be the 160-room hotel and 40,000-square-foot conference center. It will feature two restaurants, a rooftop lounge with two levels of outdoor seating, access to Davis Park, a swimming pool, a game room for kids, and “sizzle factor” amenities, according to Gary Gorman of Gorman & Company.
We look forward to the day we can have lunch or dinner on that rooftop while enjoying a breathtaking view of the Rock River and the city of Rockford.
We admit that we used to be skeptical that anything could be done with the former Amerock/Ziock building. In 2010, we called for the building to be torn down. A lot has changed in eight years.
Mostly, you have to credit the Friends of Ziock, who protected the building and made sure it was still standing when a developer like Gorman was ready to make something of it.
Then you have to credit Gorman, who saw potential in a building that few did. Gorman started working on the hotel idea in 2012. No one would have blamed him if he gave up after years of political wrangling and financial challenges, but he persisted and soon Rockford will benefit from that persistence.
You also have to credit former Mayor Larry Morrissey for his downtown advocacy in general and in particular for his support for the hotel, including the numerous trips to China to help secure financing for the project.
The downtown hotel that people have been dreaming about for decades soon will become a reality.