The city of Springville is looking to be the new home for a Holiday Inn Select hotel in the near future. Commercial Development Council member N.C. Black said the national chain is ready to build on property adjacent to the Gulf Sports Grill off Purple Heart Boulevard. He said they’re just waiting to hear from the city before deciding the design of the hotel.
Black said the developers, Valley Investments owned by Dean Goforth and Byron Buckner, are asking the City Council to consider providing a tax abatement plan for the hotel as an incentive to build in Springville.
Springville currently has a 4 percent lodging tax plus 6 percent of items sold through the hotel.
Black said other items requested from the city include not charging sales tax on items purchased to build the hotel and the purchase of DOT signs for the interstate to advertise the hotel
In return, Black said the tax abatement could be issued for a period of time like was done at the new Wal-mart shopping center, and Holiday Inn will guarantee the hotel will not change hands for a specific amount of time.
Black said the proposed hotel development would have three floors, an elevator, 86 rooms, a swimming pool and a conference room to hold 200 people.
“We would be amiss if we don’t turn this development loose and let it go,” Black said.
Black also said the developers are willing to build a water fountain, with park benches, sidewalks, landscaping and use underground utilities if the council is willing to agree to the incentive package.
“The developers are willing to build the beautiful fountain and then turn it over to the city,” Black said. “The cost for upkeep on the fountain should be minimal.”
Mayor Ricky Buckner said it’s time for the city to capitalize on the location where the hotel plans to build. He said Holiday Inn is going to construct a hotel on the site, but it’s up to the council to determine what type of hotel they’ll build.
“We’ve got to have something Trussville doesn’t have,” he said. “A draw card that’s outside the hustle and bustle. Something that is different. Something like this fountain and park area.”
Black said the developers and Holiday Inn hope to have an agreement signed before Christmas so construction could start immediately.
Black added that there is already interest from an architectural firm about building a professional office complex in the same area.
“There’s a lot of acreage at that location that is prime for development,” Black said.
“We really need to bring this intersection up to speed. There are already other things in the works that I’m not at liberty to discuss yet.”
The City Council is set to meet tonight to discuss whether it will meet the developers’ request for tax abatements and other incentives.
