The two-year mystery of what might happen on the former 98 Cannon Riverfront Grille site may soon be answered.
The intent to build a three-story, 40-room inn and restaurant on the site was pitched to the town council as a “first view” by Don Urgo of Urgo Hotels and Resorts.
Mr. Urgo said the property is now under contract and intends to close on it as soon as possible. The current structure will be demolished, he said.
A 50-year resident of Maryland, Urgo said that in the last five years he discovered Chestertown and was struck by the lack of a riverfront restaurant after the closure of 98 Cannon.
98 Cannon Riverfront Grille closed in March of 2022 due to a fire.
“I walked past 98 Cannon Street probably a dozen times over the last couple of years. And finally, my wife Carol and I decided that we would like to do something about it.”
Urgo proposed that the Inn and Restaurant would conform to the town’s historic nature and architectural styles. The restaurant would run parallel to the river, the inn, perpendicular to the river with drive-under parking.
After showing photographs of previous projects in Canada and New York, Eros said that he wanted to “demonstrate the fact that we’re very, very careful about developing properties that everyone in town can be proud of, and it that adheres to the culture and the history of the area. We’re studying this very, very carefully, and we want to do the right thing.”
He added that he would present architectural renderings during his next visit.
Members of the town council praised the project.
“I immediately get the impression from what I’ve heard that your sensitivity to local design and local history to make something fit within that existing community that we still love is a priority for you, which means it makes me feel that you’re working on the right steps,” said Ward 1 Council Member Tim O’Brien.
The Spy will update this proposal as more information becomes available. To see the video of the meeting, go here. Mr. Urgo’s presentation begins at the 30-minute mark.
To see more Urgo Hotel and Resort projects, go here.
Tom Timberman says
This is very good news. And given his professional background, I’m sure he is already addressing the support issues. And his expressed sensitivity to the historic nature of Chestertown also suggests he and his architect should encounter fewer challenges than the armory and 206 Cannon did.
Cl Ra says
Indeed. The prospect that this location will be improved with tenderness is heartwarming
Michael Bitting says
Pretty sure given the hostility to anything new or different by a vociferous minority that this will be a difficult undertaking.
Melinda Bookwalter says
Seeing the architectural renderings from varying perspectives would be key. Also, understanding “drive-under” parking with a known high water table would be helpful.
ron mccracken says
Why not move the existing structure to a new location,selling it to a new buyer, instead of demolishing the building.
Barry Dirkin says
As I understand it there may some serious structural problems with not only the building but also the with the foundation piles. If this is the case, salvaging and relocation of the building will be economically infeasible and most likely be out of the question.
That aside, I welcome the news that the restaurant will be reconstructed in some manner. The potential for an inn to be added as well, while it would certainly be a welcome addition to that portion of the town’s waterfront, poses more than a few infrastructure concerns. Chief among those concerns are parking and increased traffic loads. This area of the town’s waterfront is spatially challenged with respect to the additional parking required for a 40 room inn. Additionally the existing narrow roadways in that area of the town may be adversely impacted by the additional traffic loading for the proposed inn and the tight turning radius on many of those roadways may cause problems for the trucks that may be needed to service the inn. These are a few of the issues that the applicant’s engineer and the town’s engineer will need to solve before the plan is approved by the town.