BW Convention Center Discussion

The proposed plan for the Blue Water Convention Center was a major point of discussion at Monday night’s St. Clair County Board of Commissioners special meeting.  Nearly 30 people attended the meeting to give their opinions and ask questions about the project.  Local officials and private developers had announced last month, plans that would include the renovation of the Thomas Edison Inn into a Hilton Garden Inn, while transforming the current restaurant into a Twisted Rooster Restaurant.  Also on the property, Baker College has plans to construct a building to house a new culinary arts program and student housing. The county and city of Port Huron are looking into funding a 40,000-square-foot convention center that would sit adjacent to the hotel.  Officials say the convention center would cost in the neighborhood of $9 million and would be paid for by the county and the city of Port Huron, as well as a percentage of the hotel tax that goes to the Blue Water Convention and Visitors Bureau.  Developers hope to begin renovation work of the hotel by the first of the year.