Robert Congel, chairman of DestiNY USA Inc. said at the Oct. 24 groundbreaking ceremony, "We're proud to begin this transformational project that will help revitalize not only Central New York, but Upstate New York. We're also proud of the public private partnership that helped make this important project a reality."

The 650,000-sf, 1,300-room hotel will be the only "green" resort hotel in the world, state officials say. It will operate completely independent of fossil fuels, and will use solar, wind and geothermal sources for energy. Some energy will be produced on-site with solar modules and the remainder will be purchased from vendors solely from renewable sources, they add.

The hotel will employ about 2,400 persons and will be the first four-star hotel in Central New York. As part of the effort, the hotel will contain a 35,000-sf training facility for staff at the hotel, the larger DestiNY USA project and the resort and entertainment activities at the hotel and DestiNY USA.

The proposed DestiNY USA resort, projected to cost $1.3 billion to develop, will include a 65-acre glass-enclosed park with recreational activities such as nature trails, botanical gardens, a chip & putt golf training course and "Masters of Miniature Golf" course, a 15,000-seat mixed-use arena for concerts, sporting events and community events. Also under the glass-enclosed structure will be the "Waters of DestiNY," which the developer touted would be the world's largest marine life facility with a salt water aquarium, interactive marine exhibit and water park.

The project will also feature a replication of the Erie Canal with boat rides in a winter garden setting. Other attractions include an Extreme Sports Complex with a rock-climbing wall and skate park, sports fields, a spa & wellness center, and performing theaters for Broadway and off-Broadway performances. A state-funded Tourism Center is also planned at the DestiNY USA project site,

Last week, Governor George Pataki announced approval of a request to revise the boundaries of the Onondaga County Empire Zone and the Syracuse Empire Zone, enabling DestiNY USA to move forward with the project.

Instant Insights /

Construction Begins on $160M Destiny Hotel in Syracuse

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