Apparently someone is not a fan of giving federal stimulus money to boutique hotels. A reader tells us they were walking their dog early this morning when they noticed the giant banner, reading "$15,000,000 OUR DEBT," and notes, "Seems pretty crappy that they'd be spending money on luxury hotels in Williamsburg while our schools go to hell." Maybe, but by the time President Gingrich takes office, the kids can always get jobs as adorable bellhops.
Indeed, it was the promise of 75 construction jobs and 195 permanent jobs that likely tipped the scales in favor of the unnamed hotel, which is being built by DUMBO's Two Trees Management. However, a city estimate pegged the number of jobs that the hotel will create at around 53 construction and 33 permeant. The Economic Development Corporation chose the hotel over a video production studio in Greenpoint to receive the money.
We've contacted Two Trees Management for comment, but the sign has since been removed. For a full list of where federal stimulus money has been spread across town, check out the Stimulus Tracker here. The hotel itself it supposed to open before May 1 of 2012, and is part of the first wave of boutique hotels to crop up in Williamsburg.
