Naperville Weighs In on Water Street Hotel Approval: Readers React

In what Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Mike Evans called a "momentous decision," City Council approved a game-changing development for the city's downtown area Tuesday.

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The vote to approve the Water Street hotel and retail development came after several delays and revisions as well as feedback from the public during an open house in January.  

After Tuesday's vote, Patch reached out to our readers on Facebook and here on the site to find out their reaction to City Council's approval of the development:

Economic game-changer

"More Jobs!" - Marilyn Robbins Lawless, Naperville Patch Facebook.

"Great! New jobs..and a nicer looking block in the downtown area...I just wish it was going to be a different hotel...more upscale than a Holiday Inn Express....It will be a great addition to our beautiful River Walk for sure, once it is done....." - Paula Howland Cree, Naperville Patch Facebook.

"Jobs, income for city and its business. I can deal with the extra traffic!" - Deanna Kariotakis, Naperville Patch Facebook.

"Yeah!!! I think it will be a beautiful addition and bring more business to Naperville!" - Roxanne Lang, Naperville Patch Facebook.

Good idea, bad location

"I like the idea of more jobs in Naperville, but disagree with the location downtown Naperville. The huge Barnes and Noble store is enough of an eyesore, I feel like Naperville is losing some of it's charm with the large retail stores taking over. Yes, it's a sign of times I guess, but I don't like it. Not from here originally, but enjoy the river walk and downtown area a lot. If we get a casino, I'm moving." - Deborah Ryerson-James, Naperville Patch Facebook.

Financing questions

"No problem with the project as long as it is completely paid for by the investors and not city tax payers by yet again subsidizing political cronies and hacks through TIF and other funding grants!" - Gerard Schilling, Naperville Patch

Traffic concerns

"Yes, in worried about traffic. Nightmare. It's cramped already!" - Bear, Naperville Patch

"I can hardly wait to see the traffic jams this behemoth creates.Wait till guests try to get to the hotel during downtown special events." - Albert Gazalooch, Naperville Patch

Wrong type of hotel

"I think that we have enough of the middle range hotels already in naperville...not in downtown but within 10-15 min drive....I think that if you had a Hotel Arista type in downtown it would fit better than a Holiday Inn...You don't think of Holiday Inn as a place for a great meal and great rooms....you think of it as a place to sleep and that is it...." - Cathy Hollendoner Diesman, Naperville Patch Facebook.

"Hotel in downtown. ...AWESOME!!!! Holiday Inn Express....NOT in best interest of downtown Naperville. Why can't you bring in a more upscale brand?" - Mary Bridget Hart, Naperville Patch Facebook.

Unwelcome guests?

"Well perhaps it will attract drunk downtown bar patrons. Think how affordable a room split 6 ways can be. It'll be like spring break all year round! Ought to provide a lot of work for carpet cleaners..." - Bev Nameliss, Naperville Patch Facebook.

Other suggestions

How about if they add a casino? It has done wonders for Aurora's downtown. The casino patrons can even stay at the Holiday Inn Express when they run out of quarters. - Maureen Brown Thomas, Naperville Patch Facebook. 

Earlier: 

City Moves Forward With Downtown Water Street Hotel Development

New Revisions for Downtown Water Street Hotel Project

Changes Made to 'Game-Changing' Naperville Water Street Project