Developers appear to be interested in the idea of building a riverfront hotel in downtown Warren.

Warren Mayor Mark Phillips said on Friday that "Impact Warren" representatives are currently talking to several developers about the possibility of building a 100- to 200-room hotel on Clark St. The hotel would be adjacent to a small conference center.

With "Impact Warren" now about half-way through the original five-year timeline for the project, Phillips provided an update on the $50 million riverfront and revitalization project at Friday morning's Warren County Chamber of Busines and Industry "Eggs and Issues" breakfast.

One of the last components to take shape in likely to be the hotel and an adjacent small conference center.

Phillips said on Friday that two or three potential hotel developers have been talking to representatives of "Impact Warren" and Susquehanna Development Group, which is the developer for the project.

"They are finalizing proposals," Phillips said.

While the riverfront property will be sold to the developer, Phillips said, "We're not looking to get rich on the sale of that land. That can be used as an enticement."

Phillips said, "Within the next two years, those projects will be well under way, if not before."

Phillips, whose presentation included a computer generated video "tour" of the project area after completion, said he continues to be concerned by comments which have surfaced lately about the lack of information available regarding elements of "Impact Warren."

Most recently, several council members have said that public comments have been received about the perceived lack of information regarding the proposed riverfront townhouses.

"Our mission has always been to give information and involve the community," said Phillips. "I get a little concerned when people say they can't get the information."

Even though the townhouses have been discussed openly since "Impact Warren" was unveiled in 2002, the mayor understands why some people may not have paid attention to the details.

"Very few people ever thought it would come about," said Phillips. "I'm giving those people the benefit of the doubt."

In fact, Phillips said most of the major components of "Impact Warren" can be found in an Action Plan for downtown Warren issued in 1973.

"The issues thirty-two years ago are the same things we're trying to get our hands around today." said Phillips.

The 1973 plan called for construction of a riverfront hotel, new office and retail space and a parking ramp. The mayor said the the timing of "Impact Warren" puts the downtown in a position to capitalize on a downturn at the Warren Mall.

"There is a lot of opportunity to capture merchants who were once in the mall and bring them downtown," said Phillips.

The new 650-space parking garage on Clark St. will address the downtown's parking situation to some extent, said Phillips, but he is continuing to see "a lack of committment by businesses, especially professional offices" to making parking available by encouraging employees to park somewhere other than the free on-street spaces.

Phillips said there seems to be an attitude that it is "the city's responsibility" to provide parking downtown. "That's a totally illogical argument," said Phillips. "This must be a partnership to provide and promote" downtown parking.

Assuring Warren business district remains "a hub of regional and countywide activities" is vital, said Phillips because 58 percent of the city's real estate revenues are generated within the 44-block area regarded as the business district.