The El Segundo, California-based Welcome Group Inc. has taken over management of the Hilton Scranton & Conference Center, pledging to work closely with community leaders and participate in the revitalization of Lackawanna Avenue.
Linchris Hotel Group turned over the reins of the 175-room hotel at 100 Adams Ave. in downtown Scranton last month.
Remo Pizzichemi, Welcome Group Inc. vice president of operations, said the property is well run and well maintained, and lauded the management group. Yet he sees opportunities for the hotel to participate more fully in the activity on Lackawanna Avenue, where the hotel is now just windows and wall.
He would like to have an entrance to the hotel from Lackawanna Avenue that would give the hotel restaurant, currently known as Casey’s Corner, a greater profile and accessibility.
“We think a connection to Lackawanna Avenue and a street presence will revitalize the restaurant,” Mr. Pizzichemi said. “We will likely come up with a new concept or lease it to a restaurant operator.”
Hilton general manager John Argonish said for the time being, there will be no changes.
“This will have no effect on day-to-day operations,” Mr. Argonish said. “Down the road, you may find new concepts in the restaurant and tweaks to what we do in the banquets and the ballroom.”
The Welcome Group manages seven hotels nationwide, mostly in secondary cities such as Fort Wayne, Indiana, and West Springfield, Massachusetts. That’s more by coincidence than design, Mr. Pizzichemi said.
“We saw an opportunity with this property that was a perfect fit,” Mr. Pizzichemi said. “We are advocates for the community and we encourage our staff to be involved and serve in organizations.”
Mr. Pizzichemi said he’s already met with the leaders of the Radisson at Lacka-wanna Station Hotel and he hopes to work corroboratively with the historic hotel to create a lodging campus in that part of downtown.
John Cognetti, a commercial real estate agent with an office across the street from the hotel, said adding an entrance from Lackawanna isn’t a bad idea, but he’s not sure it’s necessary.
“Lackawanna is historically the main drag and it does take some work for someone to find their way to the restaurant area,” he said. “More windows, more activity, better signs and a new operator with a new concept could be enough. It could be a very nice space.”
Linchris purchased the property in 2010 for $13 million and invested at least
3 million into it. It tried selling the property a year ago.
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dfalchek@timesshamrock.com
