The zoning change would increase the allowable height from 60feet. Hammons' request is scheduled for its final reading thisweek. At first, Hammons had wanted a 19-story hotel, but that waswhittled down in negotiations with the city. Hammons officials saidin May that construction would start early next year, with deliverycoming in 2004. Officials of the Springfield, MO-based hoteldeveloper could not be reached for an update.

The final reading includes one other change recommended by citystaff: close a street on the project's west side because it leadsto a residential neighborhood, Glen Rhoades of the city tellsGlobeSt.com.

The Embassy Suites convention hotel is slated for a site onKucera Co.'s 110-acre Austin Airport Centre development situatedacross Texas 71 from the airport. In May, Hammons said the plan fora 19-story hotel called for 250 to 300 suites and 25,000 sf to30,000 sf of meeting space.