The Rocket

Issue date: 1/18/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Chad Leader University Park at Slippery Rock will be providing a 75-room Marriott Hotel along with restaurants and shops. The development is set to be complete during the fall of 2008. [Click to enlarge]

University Park, the Slippery Rock area development that is to include a 75-room hotel and four restaurants, is currently under construction and is expected to be open before the start of the 2008-2009 academic year.

The development, which will also include an enclosed set of shops, will be located between Franklin Street and Grove City Road across from Giant Eagle and Rite Aid, said Royce Lorentz of the Slippery Rock Borough Council.

"It sounded like it should be done before school starts in the fall," said Slippery Rock Development Office Manager Tom McPherson.

Talks of a development originally began seven or eight years ago, Slippery Rock Mayor Ken Harris said.

Though the name of the hotel has been released, the names of the four restaurants and shops have yet to be announced.

"The developer has not signed the leases, so not until the agreement has been signed will the names be released," McPherson said.

McPherson said that everyone seems very excited at the idea of such a large development.

"Adding these businesses would give students great job opportunities and something to do in town on the weekends and evenings," said Erin Kelley, freshman political science and mathematics major.

Harris said that the hotel was going to include 75 rooms, a room for meetings and other amenities.

"The goal was to bring in a nationally known hotel that would offer services and conveniences," Harris said.

Harris also said he was unsure of the total cost of the development, but estimated that construction would cost between $13 million and $15 million.

Drivers who frequently go through Slippery Rock may also be seeing some changes with the completion of University Park.

"One of the things going to benefit the park is that there will be a traffic light where the blinking light is at Grove City Road and Franklin Street, so traffic should move smoother," McPherson said.

George Santel, a freshman exercise science major, was enthusiastic about the prospect of having new shops, restaurants and a hotel.

"I'm really glad there will be more things to do in the town of Slippery Rock other than visiting Giant Eagle and Sheetz," he said. "The restaurants would be nice just for some variety for parents and people who come to visit, and of course, hot dates."

For families of future students and graduates, the addition of a hotel may make traveling to Slippery Rock easier.

"The hotel would be really useful during graduations and orientations for parents instead of having to drive 10 to 15 minutes out of the way," Santel said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools