UPDATE: City cites hotel debt in response to skybridge ruling

A judge has ordered Worcester to pay for a skybridge  promised to the developers of the Hilton hotel downtown, but the city is saying the judgment is not final in light of developments since the initial contract was signed in 2003.

"As there are several key issues yet to be determined at trial, including the hotel's failure to pay for parking in the Major Taylor garage, a debt to the city which is now valued at $1.5 million, this decision is not a final judgement and not immediately appealable," the city said in a prepared response.

The Hilton stopped making payments on parking after the city decided in 2007 to not construct the skybridge, which would have connected the hotel to the Major Taylor garage and the DCU Center. That decision was made by former City Manager Mike O'Brien, a fact that did not escape notice in the city's recent press release.

"Since I took office, we have been making a good faith effort to come to a reasonable agreement to this issue," the release, from City Manager Ed Augustus Jr.'s office, said. "As we review the judge's ruling, we will continue to work towards an agreement that satisfies all parties."

The initial project was estimated at around $4 million, but recent estimates peg the number at around $10 million. The judge had ordered the city to build the bridge "without delay."