USA – Marriott International and developer JBG have agreed in principle to allow construction to begin on a US$550m convention hotel in Washington.
The project was due to go ahead last year but progress halted when JBG sued the city, alleging an irregular procurement process.
JBG has since been accused of using the lawsuit to pressure Marriott for concessions at another property.
The city of Washington, Marriott and the Washington Convention and Sports Authority then filed lawsuits against JBG.
DC attorney general Peter J. Nickles told The Washington Post the new deal would allow the companies involved to settle their lawsuits, which would in turn allow the convention authority to begin issuing the bonds required to finance the new 14-storey, 1,167-room Marriott Marquis hotel.
Lacking a dedicated convention hotel has forced convention organisers to use shuttle buses to transfer delegates to and from venues and other locations in the city.
