Hotel hopes to launch near Waller Creek

AUSTIN (KXAN) - It has been in the works for a while, but developers say 2010 could be the year the Waller Creek neighborhood sees a major hotel and museum. The project is actually a 200+ room hotel and adjacent apartment building near Red River and Cesar Chavez in downtown Austin.

The 21c Museum Hotel complex was originally slated to break ground at the beginning of next year. At Thursday night's Waller Creek Citizen Advisory Committee meeting at City Hall, developers told the group construction financing has been the biggest holdup and could likely cause more delays.

Many believe the construction will eventually spur new growth and development in the southeast portion of downtown. The museum-hotel with its various galleries would also be a major destination for artists both locally and nationwide.

"We think there definitely is a need in Austin for more hotel rooms,” said Craig Greenberg, 21c vice chair, “and we hope to be a part of that. We think the 21c Museum Hotel compliments the other hotels that are in Austin now and that are planned for the future."

Once the project breaks ground, developers said it will be another two years before it is complete.