2nd hotel for Providence

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

By JOHN PECK

Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com

Planners approve 127-room inn as part of expansion

Another hotel is on the horizon for west Huntsville.

The Huntsville Planning Commission approved a measure Tuesday night that will clear the way for a second hotel in the Village of Providence.

Developer David Slyman said a 127-room hotel is planned for the east side of Providence Main Street, roughly across from the emerging town center marked by the fountain. He declined to reveal the operator but said the hotel could open by the end of 2008.

Contacted late Tuesday, Judy Ryals, president and CEO of the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Huntsville's hotel market is flourishing under the city's booming business and convention climate.

"With all the growth from the economy and BRAC and so forth, there's just a need for additional hotel rooms," she said.

The hotel is part of the Phase 5 and Phase 6 expansion of Providence that won layout approval Tuesday night. The expansion will bring more than 600 homes to the community.

Slyman said construction should begin soon on a 25,000-square-foot building across Main Street from the fountain that will house more retail and office space. A bakery, a store specializing in children's items and several restaurants are among the would-be tenants so far, he said. The hotel will be a little farther south, closer to the creek.

The new hotel would be the latest in a string of hotels for Huntsville in the last year or two. Homewood Suites opened in Providence last year, and a four-star Westin is under construction in the Bridge Street Town Centre development in nearby Cummings Research Park.

Developer Scott McLain last month announced two hotels for the former Market Square Mall site being demolished at Memorial Parkway and Clinton Avenue. The twin 160-room hotels for the proposed $150 million retail-office-hotel Constellation development are a Marriott Courtyard and Springhill Suites.

In other business Tuesday night, planners approved conceptual plans for a new service road along the south side of U.S. 72 between High Mountain Road and old Gurley Road. The project would include an interchange at Moores Mill Road.

Layout approval was granted for the following developments:

Meadows at Hampton Cove (718 lots) east of Old U.S. 431 and south of Berkley Road.

Emerald Ridge Apartments (340 units) west of Research Park Boulevard and north of Plummer Road.

Bell Grove Manor (126 lots) west of Bell Road and south of Hobbs Road.

Steelwood (16 lots) east of Whitesburg Drive and south of Jones Valley Drive.



2nd hotel for Providence Wednesday, June 27, 2007 By JOHN PECK Times Staff Writer john.peck@htimes.com Planners approve 127-room inn as part of expansion Another hotel is on the horizon for west Huntsville. The Huntsville Planning Commission approved a measure Tuesday night that will clear the way for a second hotel in the Village of Providence. Developer David Slyman said a 127-room hotel is planned for the east side of Providence Main Street, roughly across from the emerging town center marked by the fountain. He declined to reveal the operator but said the hotel could open by the end of 2008. Contacted late Tuesday, Judy Ryals, president and CEO of the Huntsville-Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau, said Huntsville's hotel market is flourishing under the city's booming business and convention climate. "With all the growth from the economy and BRAC and so forth, there's just a need for additional hotel rooms," she said. The hotel is part of the Phase 5 and Phase 6 expansion of Providence that won layout approval Tuesday night. The expansion will bring more than 600 homes to the community. Slyman said construction should begin soon on a 25,000-square-foot building across Main Street from the fountain that will house more retail and office space. A bakery, a store specializing in children's items and several restaurants are among the would-be tenants so far, he said. The hotel will be a little farther south, closer to the creek. The new hotel would be the latest in a string of hotels for Huntsville in the last year or two. Homewood Suites opened in Providence last year, and a four-star Westin is under construction in the Bridge Street Town Centre development in nearby Cummings Research Park. Developer Scott McLain last month announced two hotels for the former Market Square Mall site being demolished at Memorial Parkway and Clinton Avenue. The twin 160-room hotels for the proposed $150 million retail-office-hotel Constellation development are a Marriott Courtyard and Springhill Suites. In other business Tuesday night, planners approved conceptual plans for a new service road along the south side of U.S. 72 between High Mountain Road and old Gurley Road. The project would include an interchange at Moores Mill Road. Layout approval was granted for the following developments: Meadows at Hampton Cove (718 lots) east of Old U.S. 431 and south of Berkley Road. Emerald Ridge Apartments (340 units) west of Research Park Boulevard and north of Plummer Road. Bell Grove Manor (126 lots) west of Bell Road and south of Hobbs Road. Steelwood (16 lots) east of Whitesburg Drive and south of Jones Valley Drive. © 2007 The Huntsville Times © 2007 al.com All Rights Reserved.