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Rucci gets closer to opening multimillion-dollar hotel
By Kalea Hall
AUSTINTOWN
Sebastian Rucci is another step closer to opening the doors on his multimillion-dollar, 102-room Hotel California in the racino corridor on state Route 46.
In fact, he now says he is within 10 days of opening.
“The end result is pretty amazing,” Rucci said.
Rucci this week received his occupancy permit for the hotel, restaurant, nightclub and outside patio, said Jeff Uroseva, Mahoning County chief building official.
He now just needs an occupancy permit for the hotel’s hot-tub area after he submits the drawings for the ventilation system in that room and receives a final inspection.
The state and the county will have to give final inspection to the room. Rucci also has to receive a sign permit for the LED sign outside the hotel.
Ryan Tekac, environmental director of the county’s health board, said the hotel’s plumbing has been through the process and is complete.
In February, the Ohio Division of Liquor Control turned down the hotel’s liquor-permit application. The decision came after months of deliberations by the Division of Liquor Control, a branch of the Ohio Department of Commerce.
Rucci said he plans to open without that permit at this point.
“I think when we gain popularity, it will get solved in due time,” he said.
Rucci called the hot-tub room very complex. It is a 16-by-22-foot room surrounded by 12 waterfalls. “This whole Jacuzzi can hold about 40 people,” he said.
Outside of the completion work on the hot-tub room, the staff is in the process of putting up paintings throughout the hotel and other decor.
Recently, Rucci was able to obtain the Fifth Season to operate his restaurant. The Fifth Season Banquet Center is operated in Mineral Ridge on North Canfield-Niles Road.
“That is a really good association that I didn’t have,” Rucci said.
Rucci expects to employ up to 50. He already has between 14 and 19 on payroll, but expects to hire more soon.
“I hope in time with the success of the Fifth Season to have about 50,” Rucci said. “I expect very good demand.”
His goal is to have a place for couples to come not only for dinner, but for dancing, comedy and other entertainment. He believes his investment in the hotel exceeds $5 million.
“It is well worth it,” he said of the facility near Hollywood Gaming at Mahoning Valley Race Course.