October 16, 1997 Marriott hotel chain returns to founder's roots Ogden Park will likely face major renovations and a name change By GREG KRATZ_ Standard-Examiner staff OGDEN - Almost 100 years after J. Willard Marriott Sr. was born in Marriott Settlement, near the current Defense Depot Ogden property, the hotel chain that he founded and that bears his name may find a home in Ogden. San Clemente, Calif.-based Sunstone Hotel Investors Inc. Wednesday closed its previously announced $322 million stock purchase of Kahler Realty Corp., which owned the Best Western Ogden Park and 16 other hotels. Sunstone officials also said they have received approval to brand five of their new full service hotels - including the Ogden Park - with the flag of Marriott International Inc. If both parties can work out the details of the deal, the change from a Best Western to a Marriott will result in a "major renovation" for the Ogden Park, said Robert A. Alter, Sunstone's chief executive officer. "We're actually working with Marriott and working with our construction people," Alter said Wednesday. "The (Ogden Park) hotel really has not had a major renovation since before when it was a Hilton. We intend to do a fairly significant renovation." Alter would not give details on plans for the transition to a Marriott, the extent of the renovation, when it will occur or how much it will cost. A Sunstone press release said the Ogden Park, 247 24th St., was built in 1982 as a seven-story, 288-room hotel with 18 luxury suites. Sunstone has some cost estimates ready and is working on renovation plans, Alter said, but it is too early to release those specifics. And he said that, although Sunstone has been approved by Marriott to hold the franchise and serve as operator of the Ogden Park, the switch could be derailed if remod- eling required by Marriott costs too much. "We hope to get (the Ogden Park renovation) under way reasonably quickly," Alter said. "We have worked with Marriott on what needs to be done, but it's premature to say how much more will be done at this point." Tony Scaletta, the Ogden Park's general manager, Wednesday referred all questions about the hotel's future to Sunstone officials. Alter said the hotel's employees would learn more about its future during a meeting with a Sunstone representative today. Roger Conner, Marriott International vice president of communications, said he also is unsure of the scope of changes in store for the Ogden Park. "There will be some appropriate renovations and changes and upgrades made to those hotels to make sure they are in keeping wiJa the quality of Marriott," Conner said Wednesday. And he said the company is ready to expand in Northern Utah. "We are delighted to have the Marriott name up in Ogden," Conner said. "It is close to our roots with J. Willard Marriott Sr.". The three other former Kahler hotels that are scheduled to get the Marriott brand under their new Sunstone ownership are the Kahler Plaza Hotel in Rochester, Minn.; the Provo Park Hotel and Conference Center in Provo; and the University Park Hotel & Suites in Salt Lake City. BILL MARRIOTT: Hotel magnate Bill Marriott also has West Ogden ties. Marriott's family founded the township by the same name, and Bill spent some of his growing years playing with cousins and friends who lived in West Ogden, cousin Gilbert Marriott said. MARRIOTT: The late billionaire and founder of a financial empire was born near the site of Defense Depot Ogden. 476