Founder of Cedar Rapids Marriott dies at 94

When John Q. Hammons announced plans in May 1987 to build a $14 million upscale hotel on Collins Road NE in Cedar Rapids, few Eastern Iowans were familiar with the Springfield, Mo., hotel developer.

Hammons, 94, who died Sunday in Springfield, was well known in the hospitality industry as the developer of 210 hotels in 40 states over a career that spanned 52 years.

The Collins Plaza & Convention Center, which opened on Aug. 30, 1988, featured his company's signature atrium lobby with a 4.5-story waterfall flanked by two glass elevators, meeting and convention facilities, and large guest rooms.

Hammons, who previously had opened a Holiday Inn in West Des Moines, was unable to get the franchise in Cedar Rapids because it already was held by another hotel owner. He decided to open the 221-room hotel at 1200 Collins Rd. NE without a national affiliation.

The Collins Plaza Hotel & Convention Center operated without a national "flag" until it became the Cedar Rapids Marriott in 2004. The changeover occurred after a multimillion-dollar renovation of its guest rooms and suites and redesign of its ballrooms, meeting rooms and public spaces.

Hammons, who remained active in business until he was 91, formed John Q. Hammons Hotels in 1969 and built it into the largest private, independent owner and manager of upscale hotels in the nation.

John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts operates 78 hotels with nearly 19,000 guest rooms and 5.4 million square feet of meeting and convention space in 24 states, and employs more than 8,500.