A plan for a boutique hotel on Whiskey Row that faced significant opposition last year has been redesigned and resubmitted to the Prescott Preservation Commission for consideration.
Owner/developer Jim Griset chose not to proceed to a vote last March with his plan for the Prescott Plaza Hotel in the face of opposition from the community and members of the Commission. The original proposal called for a six-story, 66-foot-tall building. More than 200 people attended a Commission meeting to express their concerns, some of which were echoed by members.
Complaints at the time included a lack of adherence to preservation guidelines; an overly large scale; parking issues, and potential negative impacts to surrounding businesses, public safety and residents’ “quality of life.”
The updated and resubmitted plan for the property at 136, 138 and 140 S. Montezuma Street now proposes a five-story, 48-foot building and the addition of brick to the building’s exterior and upper level. The elevator structure would actually reach 53 feet and require a special use permit. The existing building on the site would be demolished to make way for the new hotel.
The boutique hotel will feature 55 rooms with four king suites featuring private balconies facing the courthouse plaza, 45 king guest rooms, four handicapped-accessible rooms, a third-floor rooftop terrace with a wine bar, and three meeting rooms.
A retail shop and secondary entrance would be located in the rear of the hotel facing the alley on Whiskey Row.
The staff report accompanying the proposal says the revisions are an improvement from the original plan but that there are still issues that do not conform to the Courthouse Plaza Historic District guidelines, among other standards.
The Preservation Commission will meet July 14 for discussion only. No vote will be taken. Subsequent meetings regarding the plan could take place at the Preservation Commission, the Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council. (Source)
