ROCKFORD, Mich. (WOOD) — Tuesday marked a big day for downtown Rockford as crews moved to the next phase of the Hotel Rose project.

With the final steel beam in place, framing and vertical construction can now begin.

The new hotel, located on Main Street near Bridge Street, will feature 54 hotel rooms and five businesses below, expected to bring between 50 and 100 jobs.

Leases are signed, including for a dinner restaurant and a breakfast-lunch spot. The names of the businesses are expected to be released soon.

As the project moves forward, contractors are also working to address parking concerns.

“We look forward to working with the retailers, the city of Rockford, the Chamber of Commerce and all of the entities involved in this to make sure that there’s a balance of here of available spaces for folks that are coming downtown,” Jason Wheeler, a partner with WDG Construction, said. “And also transitioning that thought process of ‘we’re missing parking’ … to ‘wow, look at what a great amenity downtown Rockford has now in Hotel Rose.'”

Wheeler says everything is on track for the hotel to open by late summer or early fall 2025.