WINOOSKI, Vt. (WCAX) – A Winooski hotel project two decades in the making is finally coming to fruition.
“I think that a new hotel coming to downtown is fantastic. Downtown Winooski has been great to us and I think the more people that come to this area the better,” said Lil Sickles, whose wine shop, Standing Stone Wines, is just around the corner from the proposed project on Abenaki Way. She’s hopeful the new hotel will bring in some new foot traffic to her business. “We have a lot of neighborhood people that come in. The weekends are busy, hopping with lots of flights, so we are hoping that will be great for tourists and it’s a great way to taste a lot of wine.”
The city has had a hotel in its master plan since the early 2000s as a way to generate revenue and boost its customer base. The idea for Winooski Falls East transformed over the years and now includes a parking garage, restaurant space, and housing units.
Winooski City Manager Elaine Wang says the project will be worth the wait. “We see it as an opportunity, probably because we have local option taxes here. So, it is a good way to increase revenue that doesn’t burden taxpayers. You know, we have a vibrant downtown, you know people want to visit,” she said.
And with new hotels planned across Chittenden County, the Vermont Lodging Association’s Hans Van Wees says the projects benefit everyone. “Before COVID, I knew of 10 projects that were on one shape or another coming to the area. After COVID, none of those started. Now, some of those are percolating again. We know there is going to be a new hotel at the airport. Is there a need? Hotels add activity,” he said.
The city of Winooski is planning to have people in the hotel and new apartments by next winter.