More than seven years in the making, the luxurious Northport Hotel opened Friday with a celebratory gathering and ribbon cutting.
Owners Kevin O’Neill and Richard Dolce accepted the congratulations. proclamations rom elected officials, and cheers of the festive crowd that packed the sidewalk outside the three-story hotel at 225 Main St., Northport.
They also own the John W. Engeman Theater, across the street from the hotel.
Before the ribbon cutting, scores of supporters of the project crowded the well-appointed hotel to sample champagne and hors d’oeuvres.
O’Neil said he didn’t want to thank the long list of people who helped the project reach completion because he didn’t want to leave anyone out. But he did thank former Mayor George Doll and Mayor Donna Koch for making their vision come to fruition. The massive project included having to win zoning approval, tearing down old structures, overseeing construction on a schedule impeded by the Covid-19 epidemic and finally, equipping and staffing the property.
State Assemblyman Keith Brown presented the owners with a proclamation recognizing the fulfillment of their project.