Two major downtown St. Paul hotels are temporarily suspending operations citing elevated safety and security concerns.
The St. Paul DoubleTree Hotel posted signs on the doors Sunday afternoon, notifying the public that it is temporarily suspending operations.
Just blocks away, at the Intercontinental St. Paul Riverfront Hotel, posters read, “We are temporarily closed for business until further notice.”
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS ran into a guest who had just arrived to check in. He told us he’s from Sweden, in town for business, but was forced to find a new reservation at a different hotel.
We reached out to both downtown St. Paul hotels for more clarity on why they abruptly closed.
Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures, which owns both properties, said in a Facebook statement the safety and security of all of guests and employees is always their top priority, using language similar to what’s posted on the doors.
An image circulating on social media appears to show a letter to Doubletree guests saying, “We are taking this step out of care for you, our team members, and the surrounding community.”
The situation is unfolding amid heightened immigration enforcement activity and protests in the Twin Cities, where federal immigration operations have drawn ongoing demonstrations and public reactions.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS followed up with Mille Lacs Corporate Ventures to request more clarity on the safety and security concerns, and asked whether ICE activity or local protests were a factor in their decision. We’re awaiting a response.
