Conference center receives fresh look Hotel recognized for renovations

However, after starting nearly 40 years ago, she is grateful to still be a server there as the hotel makes its way out from recent years of uncertainty.

“I love this hotel,” Murphy said. “I was in my 20s and I didn’t intend to stay.”

Murphy doesn’t know what she would have done had the complex closed or been turned into something other than a hotel before the city of Decatur began efforts to save it in 2007.

“I had bills to pay and house payments to make,” Murphy said. “My children wanted to eat, so I was thinking about what to do. I wasn’t sure at my age if I could get another job.”

Current owner Steve Horve bought the property from the city for $7.2 million, the same price the city paid to save it from being sold in an auction. Since taking over what is considered the largest hotel and conference center in downstate Illinois, Horve has worked to make renovations that improve its aging appearance.

“It was a great value for what we bought it for,” Horve said. “The community is starting to support us. This community needs a place like this.”

Horve said business is up 15 percent from last year and it’s being recognized for the improvements being made and the economic benefits it provides to Decatur. The Greater Decatur Chamber of Commerce in May named the Decatur Conference Center and Hotel its Outstanding Large Business of the Year.

For those who have long believed in the business, such as accountant Andrea Blakeman, the award provides a sense of pride. Blakeman started working at the hotel shortly after it opened in August 1972.

“I always had that glimmer of hope,” Blakeman said. “We stuck it out.”

Executive housekeeper Shirley Muex-Graves said it’s an honor for those on her staff to know what they do really matters and be recognized for their efforts. The staff has become close, watching their children grow up, Muex-Graves said.

“It’s like a family,” she said. “It’s what made us stay.”

Work after Horve took over was first focused on the most visible areas such as the lobby, restaurants and Holiday Hall.

“Everything was dated,” said Horve, a Forsyth resident who started his career as a home builder. “We wanted to give it all a ‘wow’ effect like you do in a custom home.”

The focus has since moved into the complete remodeling of 185 guest rooms in a four-story portion on the east end of the complex. The remaining rooms in the two-story portion on the south side will be given a facelift to freshen their appearance but won’t yet be completely redone.

The vision Horve saw when he first suggested to the Decatur City Council to buy the property is starting to be realized. He says the horizon line is in sight.

Horve’s ultimate goal is for the hotel to become part of the Hilton brand, likely under the Doubletree name.

“With my background, I know what it takes,” said Horve, who currently owns and operates five other hotels in Springfield, Champaign and Forsyth, all but one of which is a Hilton. “We try to impose those same standards as if it’s a Hilton property already.”

The room changes have made a noticeable difference in trying to attract customers, said Susan Keane, director of sales. Finishing the first set of 100 rooms has helped, Keane said.

“That was huge,” Keane said. “There’s a price tag. The television commercial says something is priceless. It truly is. It’s hard to compete in the market with well-loved rooms.”

The staff has had to try and market the hotel in the best and worst of times starting when there wasn’t much competition around, said Tina Perryman, reservations and revenue manager. Customers tend to return as the staff gets to know them.

“They do come back,” Perryman said. “We do a good job as a team to provide customer service and create a rapport with them.”

Despite operating the complex for more than five years, Horve realized a fresh perspective could be helpful as things needed to be done he hadn’t noticed.

Among other changes, a new general manager came on board at the end of February to further lead resurgence efforts. Donna Wickersham brings with her 35 years of experience in the hospitality industry, working in places such as Cincinnati, Chicago, Los Angeles and Champaign. Wickersham has held every position at a hotel except executive chef and chief engineer, she said.

Wickersham is excited about the changes taking place and sees a similar potential for its future as Horve. The property improvement plan to convert to a Hilton is “getting there,” Wickersham said.

“We hope to bring business levels up,” Wickersham said. “We still have a long way to go. This is the place for me.”

The room renovations that have been started will be put on hold until after the Farm Progress Show in late August, Wickersham said.

In the meantime, plans are under way to make use of underutilized spaces. A group reception area near the Martin Luther King Ballroom will soon be converted into a fitness center that is larger and closer to the front desk than the current exercise area by the swimming pool.

A large outdoor field in the back of the property has been cleaned up with the intention to use it for anything from weddings to family reunions and concerts.

The backyard has about 100,000 square feet of flat, useable space, Wickersham said. It features an all-new lighted pavilion, fully-stocked pond for fishing, basketball court, sand volleyball court, horseshoe pits, disc golf area, picnic tables and charcoal grills.

“Just keeping up with this space is major work,” Wickersham said. “There has never been any seating out here. We’re trying to make it a more comfortable gathering place.”

Murphy and other longtime employees have welcomed the changes that are occurring, helping to renew their enjoyment of a place to which they’ve devoted their careers. Murphy said, in recent years, she would come to work every day having forgotten about the backyard. She now plans to spend time there more often.

It’s all part of what she enjoys about working for the business.

“I like meeting people,” Murphy said. “Sometimes it’s like being on vacation.”

Guests have noticed the comfort of the changes, too.

“It’s relaxing,” said Lisa Spring of Chicago, who sat outside on a bench reading a book near the “C” door entrance that has a fountain nearby. “I could sit here all day.”

The employment level for the business has been on the rise. A job fair in April helped fill 50 positions, Wickersham said.

It now has 165 employees, with 130 of those working all the time, Wickersham said. The others are considered “on-call” as needed to help for various events, she said.

“We’d love to add more,” Wickersham said. “What we need is for travelers to be sent to our property.”

As business picks up, Muex-Graves said the atmosphere around the building begins to have a familiar feeling like it had when conference and conventions were commonly held there.

“It was busy,” Muex-Graves said. “It’s exciting to feel that again.”