Sept. 13–UTICA — By springtime, the Radisson Hotel Utica-Centre will be gone.

After undergoing $6 million in renovations, the downtown Utica hotel will become a Delta by Marriott.

"It will be a completely new hotel," said General Manager Kevin Tuohy on Tuesday, standing amid debris on the sixth floor of the hotel undergoing a floor-by-floor renovation. "It takes about three weeks to do one floor."

"The hotel was not bought," however, Tuohy said. It's under the same ownership group, but the franchise is changing.

Tuohy said renovations kicked off Sept. 5 with the goal of freshening 162 rooms and adding other amenities. In the first quarter of 2018, the branding officially will switch to Delta by Marriott.

The hotel at 200 Genesee St. originally opened as a Sheraton in 1980 and became the Radisson in 1986.

The idea to revamp the Radisson didn't spring up overnight.

It was about three years ago "when we started the process of obtaining permits," Tuohy said.

"Marriott has a real feel to their properties," and because the Delta line is new to the Marriott brand, the Utica redesign will reflect local design trends but will serve as a prototype for future Delta locations, Tuohy said.

In October, public areas — such as the lobby, ballrooms and restaurants — will start to undergo renovations, with the lobby and restaurant space renovated to showcase an open design concept.

"The entire lobby is going to be open," Tuohy said. "When you walk in the front door, you are going to see from the front desk to the Junior Ballroom.

In addition to guestroom revamps, other changes coming include:

* The Encore Lounge will become the Shade Bar and Grill, which will be open to the lobby.

* The Garden Grille will become a "much more aesthetically pleasing" Junior Ballroom.

* The current grand ballroom will be treated to new light fixtures, carpets and more.

* And there will be an elite pantry for Marriott Elite guests. It will feature goodies and products for premium level customers.

"The entire product will be redone," Tuohy said.

The hotel is posturing for direct competition with the recent renovations at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Utica, a five-minute walk from the Radisson.

A few weeks ago, news signage was applied to the DoubleTree, now owned by Corning-based Visions Hotels, which purchased the hotel at 102 Lafayette St. last spring. The 14-story, 112-room property has undergone renovations in the last year.

There also are other nearby hotels along North Genesee Street, including the Hampton Inn (part of the Hilton chain), Holiday Inn Express and a Fairfield Inn and Suites, which also is in the Marriott family.

There also are a Days Inn, Red Roof Inn and the Best Western Gateway Adirondack Inn, among others.

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