DoubleTree by Hilton hotel next to Monroeville Convention Center to close
MONROEVILLE, Pa. (KDKA) — The hotel next to the Monroeville Convention Center is closing.
KDKA-TV has learned the DoubleTree by Hilton Monroeville is closing at 10 a.m. on Wednesday. About 80 people work at the hotel.
The news comes weeks after the announcement that the convention center is closing June 1. Vendors have had their contracts canceled, as the space is transitioning to a Hobby Lobby store, though the lease is only for half of the space.
Nearby business owners say the decision to close the convention center will hurt significantly.
"It's going to scare off anybody who wants to build here or invest here," said Sara Schuchert, part-time assistant manager at the Daily Thread store at the Monroeville Mall.
A hotel employee told KDKA-TV earlier this month that 60 percent of the hotel's business comes from the convention center.
"I just woke up to a voicemail on my phone saying there were unforeseen circumstances, that I needed to check out tomorrow, which is a day early for me," said Tim Tipton, who is visiting from Kentucky.
KDKA-TV's Jennifer Borrasso: "You were asking questions to the staff?"
Tipton: "Yeah, I tried to ask. They just said they couldn't say anything and they didn't know what was going on. They just found out they were closing."
Yvonne Anderson of Monroeville also tried to get answers on Tuesday. Her family reunion is booked for July.
"I'm stopping by to see what is happening to our event," Anderson said. "It's a little frustrating, but we are waiting to hear something back."
On Tuesday evening, a small crowd gathered outside the hotel's lobby. There was a sheet of paper posted out front with a number to call to get inside.
"They locked the doors and we can't get in," said Jim Anderson of Wilkinsburg.
Monroeville's mayor, Nick Gresock, said he is heartbroken that the hotel is closing. He said he is more determined than ever to save the convention center.
KDKA-TV reached out to the hotel owner, who has an address in New York City, and Prospera Hospitality, the hotel's management company, but did not hear back on Tuesday.