July 17, 2008 - The project to renovate the long-vacant International Hotel in Downtown and reopen it as 210-room Hilton DoubleTree is progressing on schedule, an official with the project said.

Construction crews put a sign on top of the hotel's west side Wednesday, identifying it as a DoubleTree brand. Another sign will go up on the east side later.

Morris Pittle, president of Two Ton Creativity, which is doing public relations for the project, said the hotel could open as early as late fourth quarter this year.

"This is another indication of progress," Pittle said. "It's another sign of Downtown revitalization. Everyone involved with the project is enthusiastic about the progress."

El Paso businessman and lawyer Jim Scherr heads a partnership group, Hotel Don Quixote LTD, which bought the property in 2004 and is spearheading the renovation project.

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