Ballard may have to wait a little longer than planned for its first hotel. Two long-planned projects meant to start construction before the end of 2008 have been pushed back.
Chris Weymouth, an owner of the future Point Hotel at Salmon Bay, said in July that construction on the hotel to be built on Shilshole Avenue on the land housing the Yankee Diner would most likely break ground in October.
As of January, construction on the project had not begun.
The Point Hotel's second owner Don Schwartz said construction was on hold while the city and the architects communicated over final details, such as building codes.
Once that is completed, the owners can finish financing for the project and began construction starting in February, Schwartz said.
The Olympic Athletic Club has put Ballard's second hotel on indefinite hold due to the current economic recession said Jim Riggle, owner of the club.
Mark Durall, general manager of the Olympic Athletic Club, said in July that construction would hopefully begin by the end of the year, but that has not happened.
Riggle said he has the money and the permits to get the hotel off the ground, but this is a huge project and now seems like a good time to sit back and watch what happens with the economy.
"I'm not in any big hurry," he said.
Riggle said the community is anxious for them to start construction, but while he could get the loans necessary to start, it would take more effort than he is willing to exert at the moment.
The Olympic Athletic Club has four years left on the permits, so Riggle said he sees no reason to set a strict timeline for the project.
Michael Harthorne can be reacehd at 783-1244 or michaelh@robinsonnews.com.