June 01--PORTSMOUTH -- State Sen. Louise Lucas' plan to build a hotel in Victory Village is still very much alive.

The longtime senator and local power broker sought public funding for a 7-acre project in the business park in 2008 and 2009. At the time, she wanted to build a $67 million project that included a conference center, hotel and office building.

The council denied her request to access federal and state bonds for the project. But in an email obtained by The Pilot this week, Economic Development Director Patrick Small told City Manager John Rowe that Lucas called to tell him she is still pushing for a hotel at the site.

Lucas confirmed that Friday, saying, "We are not going to break ground this year. We are in the exploratory stage."

Small also wrote in the email that a Marriott Hotels & Resorts real estate manager told him that the economic climate is good for such a project.

Lucas said she told Small she would be attending the National Association of Black Hotel Owners, Operators and Developers conference in July, along with city officials. She wants to find financing to build the hotel soon and has been in contact with Marriott officials who are supportive of the project.

Rowe said the new hotel would be good for the city.

"We're really enthused that the project is still moving forward," he said.

City Councilman Bill Moody Jr. said a Marriott would fill a void.

"If Sen. Lucas could pull it off, it would be good for our city," he said.

But, Moody said, he would not support the type of public financing Lucas sought previously.

Lucas said that will not be a problem; she will not ask for any form of public money this time.

"To hell with public financing, absolutely not," she said. "I'm not looking to the city of Portsmouth for one brown penny. I don't plan on standing in front of the council for one thing, not one thing. Nothing."

Gary A. Harki, 757-446-2370, [email protected]

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