JAMESTOWN — Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the opening of the new $21.5 million Doubletree by Hilton hotel in downtown Jamestown. The Downtown Revitalization Initiative project, located at 150 W 4th Street in the heart of the city, returns a full-service hotel to Jamestown, re-imagines an important downtown building, and supports major recent investments such as at the new National Comedy Center, Lucy Desi Museum and the Reg Lenna Center for the Arts.

“As a thriving destination with countless attractions, Jamestown’s revitalization continues with the addition of much-needed lodging to support the booming local economy,” Governor Cuomo said. “This Downtown Revitalization Initiative project will create jobs and support local business and tourism by drawing even more visitors to the region.”

“The Downtown Revitalization Initiative is part of our administration’s unprecedented commitment to investing in communities across New York State,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul. “With the Comedy Center attracting people from across the globe, a new full-service hotel is a natural fit for the City of Jamestown. This DRI investment will help Western New York continue to thrive, and further strengthen the growing regional tourism economy.”

Hamister Group, LLC developed the full-service hotel, boasting 147 rooms, an outdoor patio, indoor pool and a 4,100 square-foot flexible function space. Hamister Group received a $2,400,000 DRI capital grant and a $200,000 Empire State Development grant to redevelop the formerly vacant hotel property that was built in the 1960s.

The company contracted locally for labor and products during the construction phase of the project. Approximately $600,000 worth of furniture for the hotel rooms was manufactured at Artone Furniture by Design, located less than two miles from the hotel.

Also opening is the Pearl City Hops Restaurant and Tavern — a gastropub serving affordable, flavorful food — all made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients — in a casual chic setting. The project helps to fulfill the need for additional quality downtown lodging, creates 33 new jobs and contributes to the overall beautification and growth of the area.

“The Hamister Group is proud to announce the opening of its DoubleTree hotel serving Jamestown and the surrounding community, which was supported by many local and state officials,” said Mark Hamister, CEO of Hamister Group. “This hotel represents not only the opportunity for a full-service hotel to re-enter the downtown marketplace, but to improve hotel availability to the many new attractions such as the National Comedy Center and businesses in Jamestown.”

Governor Cuomo launched the Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) in 2016, a $100 million effort to improve the vitality of urban centers across New York State. Downtown Jamestown was selected as a round one winner of the $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative in Western New York. A renewed commitment by the city and numerous public and private partners to revitalize Jamestown has resulted in key investments downtown, including the National Comedy Center and several major mixed-use buildings. These initiatives have primed the downtown for a range of new investment and the DRI will leverage this potential to create a truly inclusive, year-round downtown for both current and future residents and visitors. With over 100 buildings comprising a core 30-block area, downtown Jamestown has the second largest development footprint of any downtown in Western New York. Under the DRI, Jamestown will focus on streetscape improvements, redevelopment of historic buildings, and historic buildings.

Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Howard Zemsky said, “The new DoubleTree by Hilton, a full-service high-end hotel, is another great example of New York State’s ongoing commitment to job creation and downtown revitalization, and will be a draw for visitors to the Comedy Center and other Chautauqua region attractions.”

Senator Catharine Young said, “Jamestown’s stride toward a revitalized, reimagined downtown has taken another step forward with the opening of the full-service, DoubleTree by Hilton hotel. This strategic DRI investment will complement the city’s ongoing redevelopment while ensuring that the area can accommodate the growing number of visitors drawn to our area by the new National Comedy Center and our region’s other unique cultural and recreational attractions. My thanks go out to Governor Cuomo and all the partners involved in this effort for recognizing the potential of this great city and working with us to make projects like this possible.”

Assemblyman Andy Goodell said, “We are excited to welcome the new DoubleTree hotel to our local business community. This great project adds to the overall economic vitality of the City of Jamestown and capitalizes on the recognition of the National Comedy Center as a top tourist attraction. The opening of the DoubleTree Hotel is evidence of Chautauqua County’s renaissance in Western New York. Double Tree will make a visit to Jamestown even more special with its high quality accommodations.”

County Executive George Borrello said, “This new DoubleTree Hotel, in the heart of downtown Jamestown, will be the next step in achieving critical mass for the city and it’s growing hospitality and tourism industry. As a person with extensive experience in hospitality, I can tell you that this full-service hotel and innovative gastro-pub with be a key component in the downtown’s resurgence. My sincere thanks to Governor Cuomo, Howard Zemsky of ESD and the Hamister Group for their faith and investment in us and our future.”

City of Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi said, “It’s exciting to see another project, made possible through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, come to fruition. The DoubleTree project is one of the anchor projects of the entire local DRI plan. The newly renovated hotel will bring much-needed upscale accommodations, a modern restaurant and craft brew pub, and a large-scale banquet space to the Downtown area. I want to thank Governor Andrew Como, the Empire State Development Corporation, Regional Economic Development Committee, Hamister Group, local DRI Committee, City development staff, and everyone who has played a part in making yet another component of our Downtown plan become a reality. This is a shining example of what is possible when all elements of the government sector — state and local — work with private investors to make dream projects a reality.”