Keith Rogal proposes 5-story Copia hotel project

Developers have submitted plans for a five-story, 200-room hotel with two floors of underground parking to replace a parking lot between the Oxbow Public Market and the existing Copia building.

Developer Keith Rogal is working with the Copia Liquidation Trust and bondholder ACA Financial Guaranty Corp. to redevelop the former Copia site at 500 First St., which previously operated as a cultural center for wine, food and the arts.

Copia declared bankruptcy in 2008 amid falling attendance and debt totaling $78 million and has mostly been shuttered since then. The goal is to bring life to the site, said Rogal, and to focus on the unique attributes of the Oxbow area and bring them to a wider audience, including visitors and guests.

In addition to the hotel, a 7,200-square-foot subterranean-type addition would be built using the space currently occupied by Copias amphitheater. Three small buildings would be constructed along First Street offering room for retail, food service, restrooms and a cafe.

The details were presented in a design review and use permit application submitted on Feb. 11 to the city Planning Department. Rogal has also asked the city for a planned development zoning amendment of the area.

Rick Tooker, city community development director, said his team is reviewing Rogals application. At 60 feet, the height of the proposed hotel would meet the maximum height allowances that can be approved for that area, he said.

Even though Rogal has asked for the maximum height, maximums arent automatically granted, Tooker said. There are many issues that need to be considered, such as context, impact on adjacent buildings, views and aesthetics.

These will all be reviewed by the Planning Commission and City Council at future meetings, he said.

The Copia site south of First, including the parking lot, is not part of this application.

Rogals application is a revised reuse plan for the former Copia site. Incorporating earlier public criticism about a need for meeting space, Rogals plan now includes assembly areas in both the main Copia building and the hotel.

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Keith Rogal proposes 5-story Copia hotel project