Local News
Council OKs hotel site plan on Quincy Ave.
Developer hopes weather allows readying the site
OTTUMWA — If the weather allows the developer to ready the site and start construction, the proposed 78-unit Hampton Inn could be open in nine months at 943 N. Quincy Ave.
“That’s if everything goes according to the plan,” Harry Shah of Burlington told the City Council during Tuesday’s meeting.
The hotel development was before the council after receiving unanimous approval Monday from the Plan and Zoning Commission. City Council members also approved unanimously.
Planning Director Dave Shafer told the council the site plan was approved Feb. 2, 2009, subject to a final landscape plan. Engineering studies determined a four-acre retention pond will be required to withhold storm-water runoff.
“The retention pond will be located on the lot adjoining Quincy Avenue,” Shafer said. “The four-acre area is critical to controlling storm water.”
That was the spot for a restaurant, which is no longer part of Phase One development. Developers may still consider the restaurant for Phase Two, “subject to demand and need,” he added.
Also, the developer has moved the hotel to the east, which adds more green space on the northwest corner,” according to Shafer.
Councilman Keith Caviness said he was pleased with the development and thanked Shah for “coming forward” with the project.
Shafer told the Courier in September that development costs are about $100,000 per room so the developers could be investing as much as $8.2 million in just one of the buildings.
As for employment, Shah has said there “will be 25-30 new jobs with more than half of them” full-time.
In addition to Ottumwa’s Fairfield Inn, Shah said the development company has several properties in Fairfield, Burlington, Keokuk, Cedar Rapids and Davenport. His development business has been in Ottumwa since 1994.
Shah has also told the Courier the development “won’t be a cheap motel where people are in and out.”
“We’re looking at a select class of property and it won’t be a cheap construction,” he said in September.
Shah and Rob Patel are the CEOs of a development business associated with various hotel franchises, including Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn and others.
Planning information dated February 2009 included two letters, one from Harry Shah for Shah Accounting Services of Burlington and Shah and Patel both signed on Hawkeye Hotels’ letterhead. The latter business is also in Burlington.
Cindy Toopes can be reached at (641) 683-5376 or via e-mail at cindy@ottumwacourier.com.
- Local News
-
-
Art lovers drawn to festival
The third annual Walk on Art Street expanded on past events with 65 booths and beautiful weather for shoppers and artists Saturday in downtown Ottumwa.
-
Candidates promote organized labor
The Southern Iowa Labor Council, AFL-CIO, sponsored a Labor Day picnic Sunday with the support of the Wapello County Democrats and visits from local, state and national political candidates.
-
Browsing Around: Troop 11 honors their ‘Eagles’
Troop 11 of the Boy Scouts of America now has a beautiful gift to honor its Eagle Scouts and the Boy Scouts’ 100th anniversary as an organization.
-
Council to consider dog fee ordinance
The council will consider increasing the price of a dog license at their Tuesday meeting. Members will also discuss I-JOBS improvements to City Hall.
-
Case of the missing ’82 OHS class ring
A New Mexico family contacted Ottumwa High School this week to notify them of their discovery of a 1982 OHS men’s class ring engraved with the initials GLH.
-
Trials set in three attempted murder cases
Judges have set trial dates in three attempted murder cases. Two defendants were involved in a June shooting, a third is being tried for an unrelated May stabbing.
-
Woman sentenced for V.A. pension thefts
An Ottumwa woman has been sentenced to probation and home detention for stealing V.A. pension benefits
-
E-B board reviews building designs
The Eddyville-Blakesburg School Board reviewed options for a new elementary school building in Blakesburg this week.
-
Supervisors look to replace attorney
Supervisors will meet 9:30 a.m. Tuesday to discuss the possibility of replacing the current county attorney, who is resigning.
-
Five charged in string of church burglaries
Five people have been charged in connection with at least nine church burglaries in southeast Iowa and northeast Missouri.
- More Local News Headlines
-
