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NSBNews.net photos by Sera Frederick / On the drawing boards for five years-plus, the proposed Hampton Inn & Suites is the new reality for historic Flagler Avenue in New Smyrna Beach. The developer is South Carolina-based David Swentor (with hand out to the drawing) shown here with CRA Director Tony Otte during a public hearing earlier this year.
NEW SMYRNA BEACH -- Residents soon will see the beginning of the first significant hotel development in the City in more than 20 years. Developers of the Hampton Inn Hotel on Flagler Avenue are expecting to break ground on the project in the next few weeks.
"After nearly five years of meetings and public hearings, we're excited to have a new hotel coming to New Smyrna Beach," said New Smyrna Beach Mayor Adam Barringer.
"The project will serve as an economic generator in the short term with construction jobs and in the long term with the travelers expected to stay here. We anticipate this hotel will exceed the expectations for occupancy."
Earlier this week, Premiere Development Group LLC and HIHO LLC, the South Carolina-based developers of the project, cleared the final hurdles with the City by providing proof of financial backing for the nearly $16 million in capital outlay.
Developers also closed on properties including two parcels purchased from the City's Community Redevelopment Agency at the $500,000 appraised value. The hotel site lies in the City's CRA.
The CRA Master Plan Update of 2010 contains recommendations for Flagler Avenue including that the CRA "continue to reinforce Flagler Avenue's niche as a resort and tourist destination" and "encourage new appropriately sized and scaled hotels."
When developers are issued a certificate of occupancy, they will be reimbursed one half of impact and infrastructure fees not to exceed $325,000. They also will receive reimbursements related to the relocation of electrical service facilities, according to CRA Director Tony Otte.
The Hampton Inn, part of the Hilton family of hotels, will be constructed in the 200 block of Historic Flagler Avenue. The 112-room, three-story inn will lie between Flagler and Florida avenues on more than 2 acres and will employ an architectural design in keeping with its location in the Coronado National Register Historic District.
The project is expected to be completed in a single phase by December 2012, according to the master development agreement.
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