Village's New Radisson Could Open Late February

The Radisson Hotel and restaurant on N88W14750 Main St. is expected to open for business late February or early March.

"We have not been able to pinpoint an exact date, but it is fair to say we'll open anywhere from the end of February to the middle of March," said Menomonee Falls Radisson General Manager Dan Gaab. "A month from now we will have a much better idea when we will open. Some things are just beyond our control." 

The original opening date of Jan. 1 was pushed back because of construction delays prompted by heavy rains in July.

Also, removal of asbestos from the Falls Inn, which had been on the site, took longer than expected. 

All the site work has been completed, including the installation of the sidewalk and the lot. Gaab said workers are nearly finished installing drywall, and will have the upper floors carpeted this week. He said it's then just a matter of moving in the furniture, and finishing up final details.

"Our impression is that many people are happy to see we are close to getting off the ground," Gaab said. "The building just sat there for a length of time, and now seeing the activity has created a real buzz with people behind-the-scenes."

Getting it All Started

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

"The Falls Inn was an eyesore and an embarrassment to the village," said Village Manager Mark Fitzgerald.

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 will 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.

"We hope the Radisson project will have a catalytic effect for future development in the area," said Village Planning Technician Matt Dorner.

Modern Amenities

Gaab said the Radisson will feature a number of amenities that will make the hotel a return destination for both guests and the community.

Gaab expects the RBG Bar and Grill at the Radisson to be a popular attraction. It will be the first RBG to open its doors in the United States, and will be open seven days a week. Gaab said the restaurant is popular in Europe, and the menu will feature European flavors as well as Wisconsin favorites.

"It will definitely be unique and something different for the area," Gaab said.

Each room will be furnished with a modern urban theme designed by LLdP Designers. Every Radisson Hotel will feature one of five updated design themes by 2015, but the Menomonee Falls location will hit the ground running with the updated look, Gaab said.

The hotel will also feature a 4,000-square-foot meeting and banquet space, an indoor pool and whirlpool, a fitness center and an outdoor patio.

As the opening date becomes clearer, Gaab said they will open up the hotel to the community for sneak-peak tours.

"We appreciate the support the Falls has given the project, and we are going to do everything we can to make the community proud of our facility," Gaab said.