We've anticipated and watched the construction of the new Hyatt Place hotel next to the GISD Special Events Center since the original ground breaking ceremony two years ago. It has now been open for about ten days.
 
Check out the photo tour!
 
The Garland News covers the opening in this week's edition; so grab a copy of this and other news.
 

From The Garland News, May 21, 2009:

A new place to stay: Hyatt Place opens in north Garland

Mayor Ronald Jones cutting the red ribbon for the grand opening of Hyatt Place in north Garland. Pictured from left: Paul Mayer, City Manager Bill Dollar, Mark King, chairman of the Garland Chamber of Commerce, Councilman Larry Jeffus, Councilman Doug Athas, Mayor Jones, Ted Pittman, Councilwoman Laura Cox, Councilman John Willis, former Deputy City Councilman Jackie Feagin, and Karina Oliveras, vice president of the Garland Chamber of Commerce. photo by Linda Jaresh

 
By LINDA JARESH, Staff Writer
linda@thegarlandnews.net
 
The wait for a hotel in Garland is over. Hyatt Place, located in north Garland, is open and accepting reservations.
 
Immediately after the ribbon cutting, Mayor Jones and his wife, Peggy, were among the first to make a reservation at the new hotel. "True to their word, Hyatt has provided a first class place for visitors to stay," Jones said. "The hotel is conveniently located near the Special Events Center, is only a short distance from downtown Garland, and will be easy to get to from other Metroplex cities. This is Garland’s first major convention hotel and is without a doubt a banner day for all of Garland."
 
Located at 5101 North George Bush Highway, the hotel is close to restaurants, retail shopping, and the Granville Arts Center.
 
The land was purchased in July of 2006, and the groundbreaking took place in April of 2007. The early groundbreaking took place to accommodate then Mayor Bob Day, who had worked diligently on bringing the hotel to Garland.
 
During his remarks at the official grand opening, Ted Pittman, partner, Second Century Investments, said that even though it seemed like construction had taken a long time to complete, it didn’t begin until quite some time after the ground breaking. Pittman added that the groundbreaking took place earlier than scheduled so that Mayor Day would still be in office when it occurred.
 
"Garland has a fabulous new hotel with gorgeous, state-of-the-art rooms that are perfect for visitors, friends and family," said Councilman Doug Athas, who represents District 1 where the hotel is located.
 
"The new meeting rooms, banquet and conference space are much-needed amenities for Garland. The hotel is also at the economic nexus of the Special Events Center, Firewheel Golf Park, Firewheel Town Center, Spring Creek Forest Preserve and the Atrium downtown.
 
"This one facility ties together many development initiatives and will be a catalyst for further growth for Garland. It will serve as a beacon for all businesses and homes in the area to new visitors attracted by the further expansion of the President George Bush Turnpike. Looking from the top floor, you feel like you’re on top of the world and able to see the future. It’s a nice view."
 
The hotel features 153 guest rooms, all of which feature a 42-inch HDTV. Also included in each guest room is either two queen size or one king size bed, a seating area with a couch that features a pull out bed, complimentary Wi-Fi, and complimentary continental breakfast for guests.
 
The hotel offers 17,000 feet of flexible conference and meeting space that includes a 9,200 foot ballroom, three boardrooms and five breakout areas, all with high-tech capabilities.
 
According to Pittman, the hotel has a joint marketing agreement with the Special Events Center. "We are especially grateful to the Garland Special Events Center for its enthusiasm for Hyatt Place."
 
As executive director of the Special Events Center, Tim Mabe said he and the management team from Hyatt Place have a good working relationship, one they began developing several years ago.
 
"The relationship we have developed will allow us to compete in venues that we were not able to pursue in the past," Mabe said.
 
"By having a convention quality hotel, we will now be able to be serious competitors for conventions, or large meetings that have never been held in Garland."