By JAMES FINK
jfink@bizjournals.com | 716-541-1611

As the Hyatt Regency Buffalo completes the final phase of a $15 million, top-to-bottom renovation, the project received a financial boost from the Erie County Industrial Development Agency.

IDA directors approved an abatement package that will save the 396-room Hyatt $203,000 in sales tax. The abatement was granted to West Genesee Hotel Associates, official owner of the downtown hotel.

"This enables us to complete the renovation project," said owner Paul Snyder Sr. "Our goal with this project is to create a first-class, full-service hotel in Western New York. This allows us to complete that plan."

Work on the 26-year-old hotel started three years ago.

The current phase calls for installation of energy-efficient heating and cooling systems, a new salon and spa, and construction of a Starbucks coffee kiosk. The swimming pool also was restored and reopened.

Snyder said he expects to add 60 full-time workers, bringing the Hyatt work force to 293.

The work comes as the Hyatt prepares to welcome a new general manager. Michael Marsch, who held the post for the past five years, recently left and is being replaced by Jay Delvecchio, who is moving to Buffalo from Washington, D.C.

Marsch was active in a number of downtown and hospitality industry trade groups including the Buffalo Niagara Convention & Visitors Bureau and Buffalo Place Inc., where he is a director. He also is president of the Western New York Hotel & Motel Association.

Besides the Hyatt abatement package, the ECIDA directors also:

• Approved $65,000 in sales and mortgage recording tax breaks for Chris Jacobs' efforts to renovate the historic 678 Main St. building, a century-old structure. The building fits the agency's adaptive reuse policy.

Jacobs is planning a mixed-use development.

• Set into motion a plan to kick in $20 million in federal Recovery Zone Bonds to aid four local projects, including one by developer Mark Croce to renovate the Curtiss Building at Franklin and Huron streets to a boutique hotel.

Other projects aided by the federal program include: Seneca Exchange Larkin Partners for a mixed-use development on Seneca Street; Multisorb Technologies for expansion of its West Seneca and Cheektowaga plants; and Iskalo Development's conversion of the former Kane-Doyle auto dealership in Kenmore to a multi-tenant office and retail complex.