According the WDEL.com website and a release from the Wilmington Riverfront Corp. the Westin Wilmington will provide 123 permanent jobs and 167 jobs during construction. The Penn Cinema will mean 70 construction jobs for roughly one year and is expected to bring 700 thousand people to the area annually.
The project was vigorously debated with hotel interests saying the city does not need another hotel and doubting prospects for its success.
The hotel was also a key element in a News-Journal special report on riverfront development. The series did not find any wrongdoing, but instead focused on the deal-making process that involves the state, city and private developers, notably the Buccini/Pollin Group.
Here are links to the story and a Riverfront press release.
WDEL 1150AM – Ground to be broken for hotel, IMAX theater on Wilmington Riverfront.
