Shreveport City Council demands answers on unfinished East 70th Street hotel

"The project is stalled because of bad actors on the construction side. The result has been significant harm to the project with money stolen and money wasted," said Director Paul Diamond.

Diamond said dishonest contractors and subcontractors misused funds earmarked for construction and that the money spent to date should have been enough to finish the project. He says the project is out of money but the owners are working to fund construction within the next eight weeks.

For nearby businesses along East 70th Street, the unfinished hotel is a missed economic opportunity. 

"It's more of an eyesore than anything, so it would be nice if they finished it," said Hopdoddy Burger Bar manager Gabbie Oberley.

"When it closed, it caused a dip in sales for most of the places over in this shopping center," said Torchy's Tacos manager Mary Rayburn. 

As construction continues on the Marriot and an unfinished Hollywood Suites Hotel on Fern Loop, businesses sandwiched between the two properties are eager for increased traffic.

"I feel like a lot of people like to come have a burger and fries, and we are directly across the street so we're one of the first options. It would be great if construction finished," said Oberley. 

Diamond says the lending company is committed to completing the project. 

Councilman Grayson Boucher has asked the city attorney to explore new legislation that would require developers to provide updates if construction projects are not finished beyond a certain timeframe. 

For now, city officials say the only immediate enforcement options involve Property Standards violations for issues like overgrown grass and trash on site.