The City of Warren Redevelopment Authority has skin in the game – a $250,00 loan to the developer – for a new downtown hotel proposal on Liberty Street.

That project was the focus of Wednesday’s meeting.

Randi Rossey, director of codes and planning, said representatives from DewBoi Properties were unable to participate in the meeting.

But Rossey provided an update from the firm to the RDA.

“We wanted to have the RDA have a chance to see what their plans were,” he said. “We’re hoping as we move forward with this project” to provide bimonthly or quarterly updates.

Rossey said that most of the work is expected to take place next year. Projections at this point are to start in mid-April.

“And they’ll move on through the summer and fall of 2023,” he said, with the goal of “completion of everything” currently set for Feb. 2024. “As of right now, he still feels pretty comfortable with his supply lines.”

Authority member Gary Sawtelle asked whether construction would result in closures along Liberty Street.

Scott Taylor, zoning and code enforcement official, speculated that the street “would probably remain open for at least one-lane traffic.”

Department of Public Works Director Mike Holtz said the sidewalk was even open during construction at the PNC Building.

“(We) will make sure there is some kind of traffic going,” he said.