WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo announced Tuesday afternoon that council members will consider an agreement with Harmony Hospitality, Inc. to build a Sheraton or an Embassy Suites in the area.
This proposal is one that will serve the City of Wilmington and the convention center in the long run. The hotel land will not be sold to the developer until all leaders know the major hurdles have been overcome.
The exact size and cost of the hotel has not yet been determined because the design is not finalized, but the size of the hotel site beside the convention center is 33,000 square feet. Harmony's construction costs are expected to be $20-$40 million.
Saffo said he expects the hotel construction to be complete by the summer of 2014. The full development agreement will be posted on the city's website Friday morning once the Feb. 7 agenda is finalized.
Additionally, Saffo announced with council's approval, a minor-league baseball stadium will be discussed. Saffo said city leaders hope to bring a quality team that would be a major draw for the entire region.
"It would have a tremendous economic impact to the county too," said Saffo.
Saffo said the City would own the baseball facility, but they want to be able to use it the other nine months of the year for things like concerts, weddings and shows.
Council members will look at possible tax adjustments over the next several months in order to pay for the baseball project. Saffo said they are looking at land near PPD, but that's not the only location being considered.
John Hinnant of Wilmington
Downtown, Inc. says he's going to lobby to have the stadium built in the
business district.
"We want it on this
side of the river...the economic development more than pays for the debt
service itself," said Hinnant.
While the location of the potential stadium is not finalized, Saffo believes this project will be operational by spring 2014.
"Hopefully we can sell it
to the community, because at the end of the day, it's going to be the
community's baseball stadium; the community's baseball team," said Saffo.
Saffo says a tax hike
would probably be needed to pay for the project.
"We must seize this opportunity and seriously explore it while
considering the financial impact it will have now and in the future,"
said Saffo. "Over the next several months, the city will carefully look
at these issues as we try to strike the right balance and do what's
best for our citizens."
Some say the community
won't support a tax increase with the economy still struggling, but Chris
Fernandez, founder of the website portcitybaseball.com, is urging folks to get
on the baseball bandwagon.
"A majority of the
responses I've gotten on the site have been positive, even with the potential
tax hike, within reason," said Fernandez.
City council members will consider a resolution to enter into negotiations with Mandalay Baseball Properties, LLC and the Atlanta National League Baseball Club, Inc. during their meeting Feb. 7.
The mayor said public input on the projects is important and will hold public hearing to gather feedback.
City Manager Sterling Cheatham sent an email Tuesday afternoon to County Manager Bruce Shell saying the announcement would involve information about the proposed baseball stadium and upcoming hotel projects in the area.
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Mayor Bill Saffo announced the discussion of a baseball stadium and a hotel.
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