Tucson’s historic Hotel Congress, built in 1919, has been closed all July for renovations.

Portions of the hotel are now slated to reopen Aug. 12.

The first phase of a $750,000 remodeling effort, as reported by the Arizona Daily Star, includes expanding the outdoor plaza where the hotel hosts concerts.

Replacing the hotel’s 102-year-old plumbing system has also been a priority, according to Todd Haney, the hotel’s general manager. 

The replacements have been in the planning stages for more than three years, after the plumbing had been repaired four times over the past decade.

The hotel is investing more than $100,000 into the project, but a majority of the funds are coming from Rio Nuevo, a tax financing district for improvements to downtown Tucson.

David Slutes, the hotel's entertainment director, said they want to be able to have more concerts during the summer months. But when it's cooler, the canopy won't be up.

“That’s really the goal, to expand the usage,” Slutes said. “We still want to have concerts under the stars because that’s the best.”

The Tucson landmark has weathered several events over the decades. In 1934, the hotel caught fire. The blaze ultimately led authorities to notorious bank robber John Dillinger, who was hiding out there with his gang.