Boutique hotel developer seeks Valparaiso incentives

The Valparaiso City Council is supporting a measure that would allow for future incentives for a boutique hotel project, redeveloped from a 125-year-old former school and Boys & Girls Club. Our partners at Lakeshore Public Media report the city council voted five-to-one to create a TIF district for the Grand Gardner Hotel.

Urschel Development Corp. plans to invest $40 million to convert the 1899 Gardner School into a 58-room inn. The building also housed the Boys & Girls Club since the 1970s.

Project manager Jennifer Brooks says the historic school will contain guest suites and an attic speakeasy, while new wings would be built to house additional guest rooms and banquet space.

“And we want to build a community asset that all of Valpo will look forward to using and having their friends and family come and use, as well as the university and the business arena here in Valparaiso.” Brooks told council members Monday.

Lakeshore Public Media reports the TIF area request goes back to the redevelopment commission for a public hearing and final approval.

A planned unit development request will go to the city council in May. Urschel hopes to break ground later this year and complete construction by the end of 2024.

The developer says the project will create the equivalent of 24 full-time jobs, as well as 68 construction jobs.