Last night a "yes" vote changed Rockford for years to come. Shortly after, another new business was announced for the downtown area.

A narrow victory is still a win and Rockford is getting downtown hotel. The 160 room hotel and conference center construction will officially begin this summer, according to WREX, and could be a much needed face-lift for the Davis Park area. But there's a price tag attached.

The biggest concern about this new venture is not parking, it's cost. The city of Rockford will pay a whopping $12.5 million dollars for the conference center, down from the $13mil and change from the initial proposal. There is a glimmer of hope though because food solves all problems and more of it is coming along with the hotel.

WREX says almost immediately after city officials approved the multi-million dollar construction project a group of business owners announced they will be bringing more new life to downtown Rockford. How about food, fresh and restaurant style?

Urban Fresh Marker
Thinkstock
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Ok, so we already heard about the new coffee house and bistro, called Capital House, taking over Kryptonite's old location. Well the same owners have announced an urban fresh market AND a steakhouse. Chef Carl Murphy told WREX it would be a challenge and described the new steakhouse.

Murphy said while opening two restaurants and a grocery store in downtown is a big commitment, they see promise in the future downtown.

"So it's going to be a lot of flare of Italian, Mediterranean, eclectic food all put together, almost like a big melting pot." (WREX)

Steakhouse
Jacek Chabraszewski, Thinkstock
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There's a big price tag and equally big risk involved in the soon-to-be Embassy Hotel & Conference Center in downtown Rockford but if there we ever a chance to that area to evolve over the next decade - this is the time. What's done is done and the best bet is to support the updates and continue hoping for the best possibilities for the Forest City.


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