Radisson Opening Dates Set In Stone (We Promise!)

It’s been a long wait for residents and leadership in Menomonee Falls, but the Radisson Hotel management team expects to serve the first guests on Thursday.

There are still a few details to iron out, but the hotel officials told the Village Board that they successfully completed a soft opening Monday. The management team sampled some items from the RBG Bar and Grill menu, and the rooms are ready to be occupied.

Dean Grosskopf, a managing partner with Lodging Investors of Menomonee Falls, said all operations would be at 100 percent by May 19. Grosskopf said a ribbon-cutting ceremony is slated for that day with the Menomonee Falls Chamber of Commerce.

And village residents will never have to ask when the Radisson will open again after the official grand opening celebration is held June 8 and 9.

The hotel was originally slated to open Jan. 1, but a number of construction delays pushed the projected opening date back several times. Although the hotel opening was delayed, sometimes it takes a little more time to finish a masterpiece.

“This has taken a little bit longer, and it’s been more of an arduous process than we had planned,” Grosskopf said. “But we expect this hotel will be here for 20 or 30 years as is, and we thought the extra few months to make it perfect were worth it.”

According to hotel Sales Director Stacy Bauer, the Radisson will have a steady stream of guests waiting to utilize the services at the hotel. Since November, she has built a list of more than 600 contacts, and has several groups and events booked.

During a presentation to the board Monday, Grosskopf juxtaposed pictures of the old Falls Inn with the new amenities at the Radisson. The results were just as dramatic as seen in popular home makeover shows. General Manager Dan Gaab said he’s ready to show the community the results of a large project.

“I’m extremely excited about being the general manager of this wonderful property in this great community,” Gaab said. “I will do my very best to make this hotel a success, and I look forward to everyone in Menomomee Falls experiencing the spirit of hospitality in Menomonee Falls.”

To jumpstart construction of the Radisson, the village partnered with Lodging Investors of Menomonee Falls to redevelop the former site of the Falls Inn.

A key factor in the partnership is a $17.7 million loan from the village. About $12.5 million went toward construction of the hotel. The remaining $5 million covered other expenses such as acquisition of the property, paying off the outstanding mortgage and demolition.

The $17.7 million dollars was gained through a short-term bond issue. A second round of longer-term bonds will be issued in 2014 for a 10-year term. The 2014 date was picked because the hotel should be operationally stable by the time the new bonds are issued.

The Radisson is expected to be an anchor business for the village's long-term plans to redevelop the Main Street corridor. The village took a risk in helping finance the hotel, but officials did go through a risk mitigation process that involved collateralization, letters of credit and personal guarantees. Securing the financing won't cost the village anything unless the hotel fails.