Developers behind a controversial hotel project in the City of Lambertville have withdrawn their plans and announced a new, “significantly reduced” proposal for the Coryell Street site.
The new plans, which were outlined in a Thursday letter to the community from Refined Hospitality’s John Connors and Ron Gorodesky, include a mix of retail, a restored theater, and a parking lot.
The original project called for a 40-room hotel with a banquet hall and parking garage at the former Finkel’s properties and Strand Theatre.
The first proposal drew opposition from residents, who formed the group S.O.U.L., or Save Our Historic Lambertville. The group said the development threatened the city’s residential character.
“This is a victory not just for today, but for the future of Lambertville,” said Jeff Tittel, a leader with S.O.U.L. “That said, our work is not finished. We must remain vigilant to ensure any changes compliment our community instead of destroying it.”
According to the developers’ letter, the original plan was guided by the city’s zoning codes and master plan.
The developers said they made “a concerted effort to engage with the community transparently and in good faith,” but that engagement “never materialized.”
“It is abundantly clear that the community has deep concerns and powerful emotions regarding the scale of the hotel project,” Connors and Gorodesky wrote. “After dutiful consideration we have made the decision to not move forward on our hotel plans for Coryell Street.”
The new plans, according to the developer, include:
- Finkel’s Lighting Store (10 Coryell Street): Ground-floor retail with new storefronts facing an enhanced alley leading to The Boat House. An apartment will be added to the second floor.
- Strand Theatre (12-14 Coryell Street): A certified historic rehabilitation to restore the building as an event space for performances, films, and community gatherings. The space would be “significantly scaled back” from the one proposed with the hotel.
- Finkel’s (4 Coryell Street): A code-compliant surface parking lot for the other projects and for some public use.
- Finkel’s Hardware Store (7 Coryell Street): The property will remain as is, with new tenants sought for the space.
Refined Hospitality owns other area properties, including The Boat House bar and recently-opened Revolution Woodfire Grille.
“It has always been our mission to be good neighbors and a powerful force for positive change in the community,” the developers wrote. “We hope this more modest plan represents a new start and a renewed invitation for community engagement.”
S.O.U.L. said in a statement that residents are awaiting details on the revised plans for the site.
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