Hotel Kilbourne stepping closer to opening

Hotel Kilbourne owner Ryan Whaley gave a recent tour to the progress of the Hotel Kilbourne in downtown Sandusky.The boutique hotel is taking reservations in August.RELATED: Get charged up about Sandusky's new energy programName announced for downtown hotelFinances for Hotel Kilbourne check outDowntown hotel for SanduskyOwner Ryan Whaley stands on the to-be balcony seating for a bar on the 4th floor of his new boutique hotel in downtown Sandusky on Tues., May 3, 2016. The bar will share the top floor of the hotel with a penthouse and allow guests to rent out the entire floor for private events. William Clark of Sandusky paints the façade of the Hotel Kilbourne on Weds, May 11, 2016.William Clark and Bill Pate of Sandusky paint the façade of the Hotel Kilbourne on Weds, May 11, 2016.Ryan Whaley discusses the progress of construction with project supervisor Bob White from Legend Construction. Project Supervisor Bob White of Legend Construction based out of Norwalk cuts insulation for the first floor of the hotel. This area will serve as the main bar with an entrance facing toward the waterfront and Jackson Street Pier. Located at 221-223 W. Water St, the hotel is walking distance from nearby attractions. "My wife and I saw a pretty serious need to have lodging in downtown Sandusky," said owner Ryan Whaley. "Downtown has a lot of draws, the waterfront and marinas being big ones. There are also great restaurants and the State Theater. We also have an amazing park system." Construction worker Luis Romero works on installing the drywall in the hall leading from the front entrance to the bar at the hotel. Oscar Sarceno and Luis Romero work together to finish up the drywall in the front lobby area of the hotel. Although most of the building was being drywalled, brick was left exposed in the lobby and many of the guest rooms. Various construction equipment sits in one of the second floor guest rooms at the hotel. This particular room will feature a king size bed, views of downtown Sandusky, and a spacious bathroom. Taking a break, construction workers Matthew Nellett, of Elmore, Dan Kunz, of Sandusky, and Dillion Gussie, of Sandusky gather in a bay-facing room. This room will feature a king size bed and a pull out couch, with the ability to lodge up to 4 guests. Local businessman Ryan Whaley stands in the doorway of the boutique hotel projected to be open for business in late June or early July. "With a project of this magnitude, it's always a moving target," said Whaley referring to the completion of the hotel. Viewed from Jackson Street Pier, the hotel, right, will have 9 rooms and two bars and will be the first part of the project completed. During phase two of construction, the building on the right will be developed to add more lodging to the hotel. Luis Romero secures drywall during the construction of the new boutique hotel.