FARGO, N.D. (KFGO) – Fargo’s Renaissance Authority has approved adding a block and a half to the city renaissance zone. The changes come at the request of developers and may result in a major renovation of the Radisson building located on one of the blocks.
The Brandt Hospitality Group is proposing a major upgrade to the 36-year old high rise hotel and office building. The company’s Chief Operating Officer, Steve Martodam, said in a written proposal, with the addition of the Block 9 project’s new hotel a block away and the Radisson’s “aging reputation” there has to be an “impactful change” to the building that improves the look and feel of the downtown.
Radisson’s executive team has been in Fargo to meet with the Brandt Group and supports changing the hotel into a Radisson Blu, an upscale international chain of full service hotels and resorts brand for Radisson Hospitality, Inc. The plan includes new signage and lighting on the exterior, updated decor, with modernized event spaces and many other improvements.
While the proposal does not specify a cost of the proposed upgrade, Martodam said it will come with a high price tag. He also said, “we can choose to either accept our declining position or to improve in order to compete..and moving into the Renaisance Zone will open doors in order to compete.”
The project must still go through more review and approvals by the Renaissance Zone Authority and the city commission in order to qualify for a five year property tax exemption and state income tax exemption.