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Galaxy Hotels outlines plan to finish stalled East 70th Street project, council says it will monitor progress
Summary
Representatives for Galaxy Hotels told the council they have remobilized, submitted a new scope of work and aim to finish the long‑delayed East 70th Street hotel by the end of summer; council members said they will hold the company accountable to neighbors and the administration.
City council members pressed developers for an update on a long‑delayed hotel project at 1419 East 70th Street, and representatives from Galaxy Hotels said work has resumed and the company expects to obtain a temporary certificate of occupancy and open later this summer.
A council member noted ongoing complaints from neighbors and said the site remains an eyesore and a public‑safety concern. In response, Carlos Cuevas, introduced as Galaxy Hotels' chief operating officer, said he joined the company in May 2024 and had paused construction last October because of what he described as poor handling by the prior contractor. Cuevas said Galaxy has reengaged subcontractors, cleaned the exterior and interior areas, and submitted a new scope of work; he told the council the firm expects to have a temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) for parts of the project in June, followed by brand approval steps that could take 30–60 days.
Cuevas said GreenLake Funding remains the funding company of record and that Galaxy has brought in new management, naming Jerry Stidwell as dual general manager and Mason Associates as architect of record, with Michael Stubbs identified as the lead project architect. He asked for the community's cooperation when the hotel opens, saying the company will need neighborhood support to make the project sustainable.
Council members said they were appreciative of the update but warned the developer they would be watching performance and asked administration staff — identified in discussion as Mr. Morgan and Mr. Sepulvedo — to hold the company accountable. One council member said the project has been in the works for about six years and emphasized that neighbors who invested nearby should not have to live with a deteriorating site.
Cuevas also said the company will install external signage (Boston Pizza, SpringHill Suites, and TownePlace Suites branding) later in the month and that the team expects a "significant summer" for the property if work continues on schedule.
The council did not take formal action on the update beyond asking staff to monitor progress and to provide further updates as permits are issued and construction milestones are reached.
