Facing a lawsuit, better Hotel location becomes available in Davidson

In retail, it's all about location, location, location.

So, it is with more than a little interest here at aShortChronicle that a new and much more appropriate location has opened up for Davidson's controversial Griffith Street hotel project.  Location has always been the issue for this ill conceived effort, so for a better site to become available just as the Town and developers are facing a lawsuit against its approval is quite apropos.

According to a "for sale" sign and the below listing, a site next to I77 on Davidson Gateway Drive is now available.  This site would be perfect for the new Hyatt Place.  It would accommodate the original design that included a rooftop restaurant with views of the lake.  It would be much closer to the existing Homewood Suites and next to the Spectrum property already slated for a hotel.  It would be visible from the interstate.  Most importantly for citizens, it would NOT be next door to schools and infringe on vulnerable neighborhoods.

Per the below from the Davidson Planning ordinance, this property is pre-approved for a hotel and would not have required a height variance - even for the developer's original and preferred 6 story building.  Seeking out and using this site would have avoided the entire controversy.  it would have avoided the protests.  It would have avoided the concern.   Conversely, it would have been better for the Town as more tax revenue would be generated from a hotel with a full service restaurant.  The proposed location has none.

Picture this....

Shops along the street with surface parking behind and under the hotel.  The hotel is floors 2-5 and a rooftop restaurant as the 6th.  Staff and overflow parking if needed could easily be accommodated by the Homewood Suites owned by the same developer and only a block away.

Here's an example of what the concept could look like.  It is the Hyatt Place in Champaign, IL near the University of Illinois.  This hotel has more capacity (145 room) and is taller (10 stories) than what could be built in Davidson, but it is also built on a much smaller lot (1/2 acre versus 1 1/4 at this newly possible I77 location).

The hotel planned for Davidson currently being challenged is 115 rooms and 4 floors.  This new site at I77 could certainly accommodate that with the proper design.

As a business decision, this is a no brainer.  Please do two things today if you believe this new site is better.

1.  Contact Board@townofdavidson.org and ask Town Hall to encourage the development team to look at this better location.

2.  Donate to the legal fund for the lawsuit opposing the current location off Griffith St sandwiched between CSD's K-7 building and the Westside neighborhood.  The GoFundMe is HERE. Checks payable to Special Account can be mailed to PO Box 785 Davidson, NC 28036