Clarion Hotel Owners Eyeing Rebrand, Upgrade of Facility

The owners of the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center in Dunkirk have their sights on a potential rebrand and upgrade of the lakefront facility. The Chautauqua County IDA has received an application for a revised PILOT agreement for the project to rebrand the hotel as a Comfort Inn & Suites. During this week's CCIDA Board of Directors meeting, Richard Morrisroe -- who represents Dunkirk Resort Properties, LLC -- said the hotel is a "necessary cog" to redevelop the waterfront and bring in new jobs...

Richard Morrisroe: there are opportunities

Morrisroe says the owners are asking the CCIDA to take over the original PILOT from the Dunkirk IDA, which suspended operations two years ago. He feel the time is right...

Richard Morrisroe: confluence of DRI, new ownership, new energy

The hotel was one of nine projects approved for funding through Dunkirk's $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative. CCIDA board members approved a due diligence resolution for the project, which would involve renovating the building into a modern hotel, conference and event space with restaurant and bar. Full construction would begin in January 2027 and would take 12-15 months.

Photo by Greg Larson