New Hotel and Convention Groundbreaking

Excitment was in the air this morning as around 350 people gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Owensboro Convention Center and Hotel.

County Judge Al Mattingly said it best, "few get to experience what we are doing today more than once. For several of us who were here in 1977 it is the second time."

On the spot where the Executive Inn once was a new hotel will rise up. A beautiful hotel with all the things todays travelers and conventioneers want and need. "The Executive Inn was never meant to be a convention hotel", said Mayor Ron Payne. "It served us well and worked for many years but today the need for convention space along with hotel rooms is where the demand is. Today is the beginning of Owensboro building just that".

Malcolm Bryant has promised the hotel will be the gem that has been missing along Owensboro's waterfront. The new hotel will employ more than 150 with at least 50 of those jobs going to those who became unemployed when the Executive Inn Closed.

Bryant told the crowd the cranes will be in place late this week with work on the hotel beginning immediately. Payne added that City Manager Bill Parrish advise him work on the Convention Center will begin April 1. "Now we need to begin marketing Owensboro as a convention destination again, said Bryant. "We all must work together to bring success back to town. We know we have the best team now we must work as one towards bringing people to town".

After the ceremony many stayed to talk, view the artists renderings of the new facilities and to just reflect on the history of  the property. Several former Executive Inn employees walked the area they knew so well just a few years ago. "I hope it's everything they say it will be and more," said one former catering supervisor. "I began my career as a young man working for Mr. Green and I hope to end my working career working for Mr. Bryant in the same location. This is where I grew up and where I want to grow old".

I took a wealth of  pictures today. Some of elected officials and several of citizens. You can see the excitement and hope in their eyes for a brighter days when conventions return and tourism in Owensboro is in full swing.