April 20--CARBONDALE -- More than six months after the Pioneer Plaza hotel was slated to open, the delays seem to be over.

There is no doubt in Robert Sakosky's mind that the hotel will be opening soon.

The vice president of Daniel Siniawa & Associates said the hotel could be open as soon as Friday.

Construction on the complex began in 2011 and was projected to take 12 to 14 months at the outset. Mr. Sakosky said the project has been held up by changing contractors and slow release of state money. Several core contractors backed out, causing delays for other contractors, he explained.

"No matter what the reason, when delays happen it's a domino effect," he said. "When one trade makes a change, it usually affects all the trades."

The different funding sources also affected the pace. About half of the $14 million project is being funded by state and federal money, which the city has helped to acquire, Mr. Sakosky said. The rest has come from private financing through the company.

"It was a lot slower than I was hoping for," he said of the paperwork process.

As the hotel nears completion, Mr. Sakosky said he looks forward to the addition to the Pioneer City.

"It will increase their traffic flow in the city ... which will increase the bottom line for a lot of businesses," he said.

Some staff for the hotel, Best Western Pioneer Plaza, were on site this week. Lisa Criscera, director of sales, explained that Best Western will inspect the hotel early next week.

"We're here every day working hard," she said, seated in one of the soon-to-be-opened rooms.

Positive about the community addition, she said employees haven't "let snags get in the way."

"We want to see this place open and thrive and succeed," she said.

"In the next few weeks," the hotel and two-story parking garage will open, and in the coming months, the banquet hall, two storefronts, condos and a bar and restaurant will also open, Ms. Criscera added.

The hotel will start with a core staff and increase as the business grows, General Manager Chris Foster said.

"We're starting with a small, strong opening team," he said, adding that one of his favorite features is a courtyard area with a fountain.

"It's the wow," he said with a smile.

Contact the writer: [email protected], @rbrownTT on Twitter

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