By Eli Hughes–
The University of Louisville Board of Trustees approved a letter of intent on June 24 to proceed with plans to construct a Marriott Hotel near campus. The property plans include up to 200 rooms, a conference center, an urban Target, a parking structure and a restaurant.
This property will be placed between Fourth Street and Third Street along Cardinal Boulevard. This space is currently occupied by Cardinal Mart, Insomnia Cookies, Maira Mediterranean
The project will be financed by Provident Resources Group Inc., a Georgia nonprofit corporation and U of L will not be financially responsible for the project.
In the agenda of the June 24 board meeting, the purposes of the project are listed as education and economic development.
“The mission being served is to academically engage students through diverse learning opportunities with an emphasis on experiential learning. This approach specifically targets the development of professional competencies in the areas of: (1) foundational knowledge, (2) program leadership, (3) administrative and management functions, and (4) professional skills and behavior,” the agenda stated.
It also stated in the agenda that the primary function of the project is not to generate profits, however, the University will receive surplus net revenues from the project.
The letter of intent that the Board of Trustees passed is non-binding and the project is still in its preliminary stages.
Photo Courtesy//The University of Louisville
