After last week's post here at aShortChronicle regarding the possible new hotel at Davidson's Exit 30, the property owners have apparently been fielding a few questions.
Today they put out the below press release providing a few more details.
Press Release:
Preliminary plans are under development for a new hotel at the corner of
Griffith Street and Davidson Gateway Drive in Davidson, reports Martin Kerr of Martin Kerr &
Associates.
The location would be next to Woodie’s Auto Service and Repair. Site investigation
and due diligence are in the final stages. The owner and hotel developer will submit plans to the
Town of Davidson within the next few weeks.
The proposed hotel would be built and managed by a local hotel developer with existing
properties in the Lake Norman and Charlotte area. The hotel is an upscale, recognized
international brand, with approximately 120 rooms. Initial plans include meeting space with an
enhanced technology package, a pool and full service restaurant with possible lake views.
“A hotel is a great complementary use for this site instead of the multi-family project approved
and originally envisioned here,” says Kerr. “It is expected to generate less traffic in the
immediate area as well as throughout town. Additionally, it will produce more revenue for the
town from food and lodging taxes. From a market and potential customer perspective, it is close
to I-77 and amenities in the Harris Teeter area, yet still within walking distance of Davidson
College and Main Street.”
“Preliminary research supports capacity for an additional hotel in Davidson,” Kerr adds. “We are
excited about the potential our location presents. We look forward to sharing more information
as details become available and to working with the town, community and developers on this
excellent opportunity.”
As mentioned in the previous post the Town of Davidson responded last week when asked about the project that...
"The Davidson Commons East conditional master plan (last amended in 2013 to allow for Woodie’s) depicts two storefront and/or workplace buildings up to three stories and not to exceed 50 feet for the parcels in question. Any deviation from this approved master plan would require a conditional rezoning and approval from the Board of Commissioners."
When asked if Kerr expected the project to go through the conditional zoning process, he responded the answer to that question would have to wait until the project application was submitted.
If the answer to that question turns out to be "yes", expect that process to be an interesting one.
There have already been some concerns expressed about having a hotel next to a school. (CSD is right next door.) However, as Kerr points out, a multi-family apartment complex could go on the site as well. That may not be a better situation for those with any safety concerns.
As with almost all new projects that impact the small town character of Davidson, traffic and safety concerns are likely to top the list with this one.
Showing posts with label Exit 30. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Exit 30. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
Monday, February 8, 2016
UPDATED BREAKING NEWS - Possible new hotel at Exit 30?
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates. Updates at bottom.
Original Post:
As aShortChronicle reported last week, Town of Davidson officials will be kicking off the renewed sales effort for the Downtown Catalyst Project Monday evening with a "pilot" roundtable discussion made up primarily of town advisory board members.
Now, this morning comes a piece of breaking news that could significantly impact this discussion.
According to a person on site Monday morning at the construction equipment that suddenly appeared last Friday at the parcel adjacent to Woodies Auto and the Community School of Davidson at Exit 30, the work taking place is part of "investigating a hotel" on the site. When asked about the size of a potential hotel, the answer was that had not been determined. According to the person at the site, even bigger projects had been discussed, but it looked like the idea of a hotel is one that could "go".
When development was originally discussed at the site a coulle years ago, it was a multiuse project with condos and office. See this story here. The idea of a hotel would be a significant departure from that plan.
Requests for more information are out to the Town Planning and Economic Development departments as well as those associated with the property.
In relation to the Catalyst Project, this could be a game changer. When the initially proposed details of the Catalyst Project came out last October, the most controversial piece was the inclusion of a hotel at the site in town center. The consultants from the UNC School of Government had floated the idea by developers and including a hotel as part of Catalyst and indicated it was well received as a way to gain more interest in the project.
Now that the idea of another hotel is apparently in the works, the question must be asked if Davidson could support possibly 2 new hotels.
If nothing else, it highlights the risk of the Town diving into the development business where they have little control over what the private sector may do that competes with a town related effort.
Update #1: Martin Kerr of Flat Creek Construction in Davidson was able to confirm that a hotel developer is interested in the property. The equipment on site is for soil testing. At this time the hotel brand or size is not available. More details should be available in a few weeks. Mr Kerr did confirm a development application has not been submitted, but the town has been aware of the possibility of a hotel from preliminary discussions. No response has been made available from the town at this point.
Update #2: From town public information officer Christina Shaul...
"The Davidson Planning Department fields questions daily from residents and developers as to what could be built on a specific property. In these conversations, we typically discuss the planning ordinance and the development process. Most of these questions do not lead anywhere. However, once we do have a formal submittal for development, we make this information public by posting to our website. We have not received a formal development application submittal for the parcels in question.
The Davidson Commons East conditional master plan (last amended in 2013 to allow for Woodie’s) depicts two storefront and/or workplace buildings up to three stories and not to exceed 50 feet for the parcels in question. Any deviation from this approved master plan would require a conditional rezoning and approval from the Board of Commissioners."
Original Post:
 |
| Both parcels fully pictured here are in question. Town owns land to right along Griffith St. Total area 2.1 acres. |
Now, this morning comes a piece of breaking news that could significantly impact this discussion.
According to a person on site Monday morning at the construction equipment that suddenly appeared last Friday at the parcel adjacent to Woodies Auto and the Community School of Davidson at Exit 30, the work taking place is part of "investigating a hotel" on the site. When asked about the size of a potential hotel, the answer was that had not been determined. According to the person at the site, even bigger projects had been discussed, but it looked like the idea of a hotel is one that could "go".
When development was originally discussed at the site a coulle years ago, it was a multiuse project with condos and office. See this story here. The idea of a hotel would be a significant departure from that plan.
Requests for more information are out to the Town Planning and Economic Development departments as well as those associated with the property.
In relation to the Catalyst Project, this could be a game changer. When the initially proposed details of the Catalyst Project came out last October, the most controversial piece was the inclusion of a hotel at the site in town center. The consultants from the UNC School of Government had floated the idea by developers and including a hotel as part of Catalyst and indicated it was well received as a way to gain more interest in the project.
Now that the idea of another hotel is apparently in the works, the question must be asked if Davidson could support possibly 2 new hotels.
If nothing else, it highlights the risk of the Town diving into the development business where they have little control over what the private sector may do that competes with a town related effort.
Update #1: Martin Kerr of Flat Creek Construction in Davidson was able to confirm that a hotel developer is interested in the property. The equipment on site is for soil testing. At this time the hotel brand or size is not available. More details should be available in a few weeks. Mr Kerr did confirm a development application has not been submitted, but the town has been aware of the possibility of a hotel from preliminary discussions. No response has been made available from the town at this point.
Update #2: From town public information officer Christina Shaul...
"The Davidson Planning Department fields questions daily from residents and developers as to what could be built on a specific property. In these conversations, we typically discuss the planning ordinance and the development process. Most of these questions do not lead anywhere. However, once we do have a formal submittal for development, we make this information public by posting to our website. We have not received a formal development application submittal for the parcels in question.
The Davidson Commons East conditional master plan (last amended in 2013 to allow for Woodie’s) depicts two storefront and/or workplace buildings up to three stories and not to exceed 50 feet for the parcels in question. Any deviation from this approved master plan would require a conditional rezoning and approval from the Board of Commissioners."
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