"We have been working with our Economic Development Office for some time to pull together a project of this nature," [Ed Sajecki] said. "We have a need in our City Centre for a hotel and conference centre and the synergies that go with them."

"The hotel will have large banquet and entertainment facilities. It will be a real showpiece," [Barry Lyon] said. "The City has asked for landmark architecture. The style we have will be really significant."

"A vibrant downtown depends on having mixed uses -- office, commercial, condo," said [Bruce Carr], who's charged with revitalizing City Centre. "You need new uses that are different than residential."