The Radisson Paper Valley Hotel has secured funding for renovations to complement and support the new Fox Cities Exhibition Center.
The owners of the hotel announced Thursday that the company closed on a multi-million dollar financing package to renovate the downtown Appleton hotel.
The hotel and Fox Cities Exhibition Center, which is under construction, will comprise the premier conference and convention space in Northeast Wisconsin.
The two will be connected by a raised walkway.
“This is a great day for the Paper Valley, Appleton and the entire Fox Cities as we move forward with renovations to the Radisson Paper Valley Hotel," said Inner Circle Chairman and CEO Joe Gillespie. "Inner Circle is maintaining its commitment to the Fox Cities communities to provide a high-quality, luxury brand lodging experience for the future attendees of events at the Fox Cities Exhibition Center."
Inner Circle bought the Paper Valley Hotel in 2015 and made a commitment to the Fox Cities by signing a management agreement to operate the new Fox Cities Exhibition Center.
“The management agreement has been and will be an important element to the successful development and operation of the Fox Cities Exhibition Center,” explained Mayor Tim Hanna.
The upcoming renovations include major updates to the lobby and conference rooms, improvements to the exterior façade, renovations to the guest rooms and other improvements.
The hotel has committed to paying for a portion of the walkway connecting the Paper Valley to the Fox Cities Exhibition Center. Renovation will start later this month.
“From day one we were impressed with Inner Circle’s commitment to the hotel and the Fox Cities,” said Mayor Hanna. “They promised to improve the operations of the hotel and they did. They promised to manage the new Fox Cities Exhibition Center and they will. They promised to renovate one of the landmark buildings in downtown and they’re doing it.”
Once complete in November, the Fox Cities Exhibition Center will add 65,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space. The facility is expected to generate $6.5 million annually in new visitor spending in the Fox Cities.
“In the end everyone in the Fox Cities will benefit from the Fox Cities Exhibition Center and the Radisson Paper Valley becoming the premier conference and exhibition facility in Northeast Wisconsin,” said Mayor Hanna.
