FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Joe Sobieralski, President & CEO of Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU), was recently recognized by Crain’s Grand Rapids Business as the top Newsmakers of the Year in the Hospitality category. Mr. Sobieralski was singled out for his leadership on the redevelopment of the DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek.

Mr. Sobieralski joined newsmaker award recipients across sixteen categories, each with three finalists. More than 350 business leaders gathered at Amway Grand Plaza hotel on Thursday, March 6 for the awards ceremony which recognized West Michigan executives behind the biggest headlines in 2024 as chosen by the Crain’s editorial staff.

The DoubleTree project began in November 2020 when BCU assumed ownership of the property through 50 Capital Ave Development Corp. The facility, then known as the McCamly Plaza Hotel, is located in the heart of downtown Battle Creek. It originally opened in 1981 as the Stouffer Hotel and is adjacent to the Kellogg Arena, a 6,000-seat multiuse facility. Financing for the $75 million project was made possible via senior and junior debt, layered with generous state, local and philanthropic contributions. 6PM Hospitality of Zeeland, Michigan manages the day-to-day operations of the facility.

The project included the demolition of the adjoining 2-story commercial/retail space. The 16-story building now features:
•  247 upgraded hotel rooms with city views
•  An indoor pool, hot tub, and fitness center
•  Remodeled ballroom
•  Meeting and conference rooms
•  “The Alloy,” a casual restaurant known for hearty meals and welcoming atmosphere
•  “50 Beacon,” cocktail lounge on the 16th floor with an artisanal small plate menu
•  “ReVus,” the hotel’s first floor cocktail bar
•  A new atrium and outdoor green space

The DoubleTree by Hilton Battle Creek is expected to be a catalyst for future growth and development. The facility will serve as a destination, attracting visitors to places downtown like Kellogg Arena, Kellogg Auditorium, and the Rink, while supporting local businesses across Battle Creek.

As part of the project, BCU created The Suite Collaborative, a program focused on developing careers in hospitality and culinary arts. This initiative combines classroom learning with on-the-job training and is being developed in partnership with the Michigan Restaurant and Lodging Association, Kellogg Community College, Grand Valley State University, the Calhoun Area Career Center, and Battle Creek Public Schools. The facility’s classroom will also provide English as a second language courses.

Erick Stewart, Chair of the BCU Board of Directors said, “Congratulations to Joe and his team at BCU for all their efforts to bring the project to fruition and returning this property to its former glory. The DoubleTree by Hilton is a wonderful addition to Battle Creek. It is exciting to see so many people visiting downtown and experiencing the facility. I am eagerly looking forward to the warm weather when we can enjoy the outdoor patio space. We are grateful to Crain’s Grand Rapids Business for including Joe on their annual list of newsmakers.”

“It is truly an honor to be recognized but this recognition extends well beyond myself or BCU. This was a huge community lift with many organizations and respective staff stepping up to make a vision a reality,” said Sobieralski. “I want to thank the many Board Members, staff members, and generous financial contributors for making this project a headliner for the Battle Creek community.”

Crain’s Grand Rapids Business is a weekly periodical which covers Southwest Michigan’s business community. The 2024 Newsmakers of the Year recognized more than fifty individuals in sixteen categories, including Economic Development, Finance, Health Care, Manufacturing, and Real Estate & Construction.

The full list of the Crain’s Grand Rapids Business 2024 Newsmakers is available here: https://www.crainsgrandrapids.com/news/meet-crains-newsmakers-for-2024/

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ABOUT BATTLE CREEK UNLIMITED
Established in 1972, Battle Creek Unlimited (BCU) is a private, non-profit corporation which serves as the economic development arm for the City of Battle Creek. BCU manages the Fort Custer Industrial Park, which is home to nearly 90 businesses, including more than two dozen international companies, and employs over 13,000 people. BCU’s mission is to build a strong community by driving strategic investment and job creation in Battle Creek. For more information, visit www.bcunlimited.org

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