FARGO — The downtown Radisson Hotel is looking to transform itself into a Radisson Blu, an upscale version of the Radisson brand, examples of which can be found in European cities like Copenhagen, Paris and London.

As part of that effort, the hotel is seeking tax breaks from Fargo's Renaissance Zone Authority and hotel officials will go before the authority board on Wednesday, Aug. 27.

"This project will enhance the image of downtown Fargo by creating the first upper-upscale hotel in the FM," according to the hotel's application for Renaissance Zone tax exemptions.

The hotel plans $6 million worth of improvements, including a full remodel of all of its rooms, as well as a light remodeling of its public spaces, according to paperwork submitted to the city.

"We will take this iconic high-rise building in downtown Fargo and give it the look and feel of the Radisson Blu," the hotel said in its Renaissance Zone application.

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"In the United States, Radisson Blu is currently found in Minneapolis and Chicago. We will be adding Fargo to an impressive list of Blu destinations, " the application stated.

The work is proposed to start this fall.

The redesign will focus on creating a Scandinavian look and feel that harks back to the area's historical roots, the hotel said in its Renaissance Zone application.

The Radisson is asking for a five-year, 100 percent property tax exemption on the value of the building and a five-year 100 percent exemption on state income tax.

The hotel's revamping comes at a time when a future competitor is under construction as part of the Block 9 project in downtown Fargo.

That hotel, which will have about 125 rooms, has so far been described only as a boutique hotel.

The estimated price tag for all of Block 9 has been placed at about $117 million.

In a letter to city officials earlier this year when Fargo extended Renaissance Zone eligibility to include the Radisson, Brandt Hospitality CEO Steve Martodam said the Radisson Blu transformation would entail outside and inside upgrades, with the outside work including new signage and accent lighting.

Inside, he said, rooms would be entirely rebuilt with a reinvented restaurant and lounge, an expanded fitness center and modernized event gathering space.

Martodam wrote that with the Block 9 project going up nearby, "we can choose to either accept our declining position, or to improve in order to compete."

Martodam added that while the Radisson has towered over downtown Fargo since 1982, only minimal improvements have been made over the past 36 years.

City staff have recommended approval of the Renaissance Zone tax breaks.

If the Renaissance Zone Authority approves the tax break, the city commission will review them for final approval.