Developers for two new hotels rising on Valley Boulevard continue to make progress on construction. Both projects are slated to open by the end of next year.
The Sheraton at 303 E Valley Blvd., which broke ground last September, already has a completed basement and underground parking. The developers for the project, Hazens Group, are now working with the city to secure the remaining permits for the above ground structure, as well as the core building structure, exterior structure and design and special features.
"They're requesting the required inspections by the city every day," Building Official Joe Chen said, "which means this project is moving ahead full steam."
The project will ultimately include 288 guest rooms, a ballroom, meeting spaces, swimming pool, courtyard, a fitness center, retail space and two restaurants including an American steakhouse. The hotel will also have green features such as solar panels and low flow plumbing as well as a public art installation.
A second project, the Hyatt Place Hotel, broke ground last November at the corner of Valley Boulevard and Del Mar Avenue. Developer Landwin Corp. has completed site preparation work including shoring and excavation. The company has begun working on the perimeter foundation and is now working with the city to get permits for interior foundation and basement construction.
When finished, the Hyatt Place will include 222 guest rooms, 85 residential units and 55,827 square feet of commercial space. Economic Development staff members have been working closely with the project's leasing representative to market the available commercial space.
After completion, the two new hotels will be economic catalysts for the Valley Boulevard corridor, bringing in new businesses and visitors to the city, plus hundreds of full-time jobs for local residents.
"San Gabriel is a tourist destination and we're extremely pleased to have experienced developers such as Hazens and Landwin bring two new, internationally known hotel brands to the city," Economic Development Manager Angelica Frausto-Lupo said.
City staff members have worked closely with both developers to ensure that codes and standards are met and community impacts are minimized. As part of the process, the developers have paid nearly $4 million in impact fees that go to fund police and fire facilities , traffic abatement, sewer system improvements, open space improvements and the San Gabriel Unified School District.
In addition, once the hotels are open they will generate about $3 million per year in Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT), which can be used for much-needed projects and programs in the city such as the new Police Facility, scheduled to break ground next year, and future street projects. Both hotels will also include streetscape improvements to beautify Valley Boulevard, one of the city's busiest arterials.
For more information about these projects, contact Community Development Director Arminé Chaparyan at 626.308.2800, ext. 4620 or achaparyan@sgch.org.