I too share people's skepticism that we can support two high end hotels. Whoever owns the former Holiday Inn should be looking for a buyer--the powers that be seem to be determined to put him out of business. Bay City seems always to put the cart before the horse--as you say "IF Uptown proves attractive to visitors and IF a new development like a college/university brings new life, and new customers, downtown." Seems like we should wait to see if the "ifs" come true. Look how long it took the condos downtown to fill up.