Dec. 10–The groundbreaking for the 158-room Hilton Garden Inn and Edmond Conference Center on the northwest corner of Interstate 35 and Covell Road has been set for 2 p.m. Jan. 12, City Manager Larry Stevens said.
“The estimated total cost of the hotel conference center project is estimated to be $30 million,” Stevens said. “Obviously, this is a major step forward. We’re happy for it to get to this stage and we certainly look forward to seeing the project come out of the ground.”
Stevens told the City Council this week that city staff has been reviewing the ground plans for the 130,033-square-foot facility.
There is a site plan for this project, said Charles Lamb, mayor. The hotel’s swimming pool and spa will be inside the building, according to Clay Coldiron, project manager.
“When that review is completed a building permit will issued. At that point the developer will be putting the project out to bid,” Stevens said.
Covell Partners in Development and city staff anticipate constructing the project will take 18 months. The 6-story hotel’s footprint will be north of Covell and Sooner Road.
“The conference center will be attached and the conference center will be about 20,000 square feet with potential to expand in the future if needed,” Stevens said.
The City of Edmond purchased $7.8 acres of property for this facility at a cost of $2.2 million to allow the developer to take advantage of property tax exemption, Stevens said. In turn, the developer has a legal obligation to purchase the land back from the city within 15 years.
“The city is also contributing $4.8 million toward the construction of the conference center portion of the project,” Stevens said. “And that amount will also be repaid as well.”
John Weeman, president of Covell Partners in Development, said the group looks forward to the January groundbreaking as another step in its partnership with the City of Edmond.
“Edmond will soon enjoy an exciting new first-class venue of hospitality thanks to that successful partnership,” said Weeman, with Roddy Bates, another partner in the development.
Ken Moore, president and CEO of the Edmond Area Chamber of Commerce, said the City Council should be congratulated for its forward-thinking actions to invest in development at I-35 and Covell.
“It will in the long-haul invest in economic expansion and will really be important to Edmond in the years ahead,” Moore said.
Developers plan to bring national retailers at the site, said Janet Yowell, executive director of the Edmond Economic Development Authority.
Yowell said the economic impact of the hotel project alone will generate $8.2 million on an annual basis.
“This takes into consideration that the property will be owned by the city for 15 years and off the property tax rolls,” Yowell said. “The hotel will employ approximately 70 people.”
The entire construction impact is about $45 million, she said. The city has put $7 million for the land and the conference center.
About $2 million is being spent on utilities along Covell.
jcoburn@edmondsun.com — 341-2121
