Monday, May 14, 2012

Belleville Pursues Hotel on Illinois Route 15

The Belleville News-Democrat has a story this afternoon about their mayor's desire for a new hotel on the city's west side at Belleville Crossing.

BELLEVILLE -- Mayor Mark Eckert has said for the past several years that the sour economy has kept development at bay, but he thinks the time may be right to tackle new ventures again.

He and The DESCO Group, the developer of Belleville Crossing on Illinois 15, are talking about the possibility of a hotel in that area. He said the two parties agree that, with the economy bouncing back, the area is ripe for opportunity.

"I'm asked all the time: Why aren't we going after a hotel?" Eckert said. "It is time to start to pursue this again."

The story notes a developer backed out after the recession started in 2007 who wanted to build a Hampton Inn.

There's hope yet for Belleville. Marion's two newest hotels, the new Holiday Inn Express & Suites and the Comfort Inn now under construction were both 2007 projects that were sidelined by the recession but have since made a comeback.

The challenge for Belleville is that the location is in the opposite direction of the interstate highways.

2 comments:

Missy said...

Speaking of Belleville, these links made me think of the whole destination development. What do you think?????

Missy said...

Speaking of Belleville, what do you think about these links, and Marion's proposed destination development????
http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/print-edition/2012/05/25/legends-outlets-kansas-city-heads-for.html

http://www.rgj.com/article/20120131/NEWS/301310028/-141M-default-Legends