Wvc Sports Schedule Postponed

Area Kids Put Words In Their Pets' Mouths

By MARQUES G. HARPER mharper@leader.net
 Friday, January 05, 2001 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 1A 





WILKES-BARRE - Downtown's nighttime skyline will become a little brighter
when a substantial $2 million face lift of the Genetti Hotel &amp; Convention
Center is completed this summer. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 By June, red neon lighting will wrap around the top of the hotel, said Gus
Genetti, owner of the East Market Street hotel. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Exterior improvements will include new landscaping, an additional entrance
to the parking lot and historic light fixtures, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Inside the hotel, there will be numerous changes, including new lobbies and
ballroom decor. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The remodeling is planned to keep the hotel competitive in the region's
growing hotel market while serving consumer demand for amenities such as
Internet access in rooms, Genetti said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The renovations will be funded partially by a $500,000 loan from Luzerne
County's Office of Community Development in conjunction with First Heritage
Bank, Genetti said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The hotel was renovated seven years ago, but, Genetti said, ``It wasn't
anywhere near to the extent of this.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The hotel will be adding sixth-floor guest suites that feature kitchens and
whirlpool spas. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, the hotel's restaurant, Legends, and lounge will be completely
remodeled. When they are completed, the lounge will have a sports bar
atmosphere, and the restaurant is tentatively scheduled to serve
Italian-American cuisine, Genetti said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Also, one ballroom will be turned into two conference rooms, Genetti said.
They will be outfitted with Internet connections and other equipment needed to
hold daily business meetings and seminars, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Marketing Design Services of Altoona is overseeing the new design, Genetti
said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In addition to the guest suites, guest rooms will be upgraded with new
furniture, large televisions and VCRs and high-speed Internet access, he said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The number of hotel rooms will increase from 72 to 80, Genetti said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The renovations are coming more than a year after Genetti first announced a
remodeling of the hotel and conference center. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In 1999, Genetti said the hotel and its adjoining apartment tower would be
remodeled in a $2 million project. About $1.4 million would be spent on fixing
the apartments, with the remaining $600,000 dedicated to renovations at the
restaurant, convention facilities and the adjoining Best Western hotel. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 That announcement was made after the seven-story Genetti Apartments
building at East Market Street and South Pennsylvania Boulevard was heavily
damaged in a two-alarm fire that year. The 115-unit building housed dozens of
non-subsidized low-income tenants. Still, Genetti vowed to remodel the
facility. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 renovating the tower of apartments isn't part of the current project, he
said. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 ``That's going to be renovated at some future date.'' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Marques G. Harper, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 831-7324. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Genetti Eyes Renovations Of $2 Million To Complex 
Many Improvements To Be Made To The Convention Areas, Hotel And Restaurant, As
Well As To The Exterior Of The Facilities.

Genetti Eyes Renovations Of $2 Million To Complex Many Improvements To Be Made To The Convention Areas, Hotel And Restaurant, As Well As To The Exterior Of The Facilities.