The award for the convention headquarters hotel went to Marriott International in October 2002 . The September 11 attacks caused a severe economic downturn in Washington , D.C. , which caused the city to delay its decision on the RFP for more than a year . The award was not made until October 29 , 2002 . The mayor 's office said the city would probably provide TIF financing to the project , which now was projected to have 1,500 rooms , of meeting room space , cost $ 500 million , and open in late 2006 or early 2007 . The Marriott/Gould bid was chosen because the land parcel size , its location near the convention center , and the land , which was already owned by the partners . City officials said they intended to ask the Council for legislation to establish a nonprofit to sell TIF bonds and own the hotel . Marriott said it would buy $ 24 million of the bonds to create an ownership interest in the hotel , which it said would be built by The JBG Companies . To keep interest on the bonds reasonable , the city stated it would also seek authority to divert up to $ 19 million in general sales tax revenue in the event the hotel did n't generate enough revenue to pay interest on the TIF bonds
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Washington Marriott Marquis