Construction is underway on the first phase of a four-story hotel, as part of a broader development planned near Lowe’s Home Improvement in Mebane.
Mebane’s city council had approved plans in 2019 for a phased construction of two hotels, as well as a mixed-use commercial building, on the approximately seven-acre site that fronts I-85/40. A subsequent phase of construction calls for a 10,000-square-foot commercial building with offices and retail space, based on the concept that Rad Pandit of Bettendorf, Iowa had originally outlined for the city in 2019.
The project went dormant amid the Covid-19 pandemic, but in late 2021, the developer asked the city to sign off on a revised site plan.
That change produced a 29 percent expansion in the number of rooms – to 103 – but with fewer parking spaces, according to Tim Smith of Summit Engineering, who presented the revised plan to the city.
The developer has said that this hotel is unique in that two different brands would operate under a single roof: Hawthorn Suites by Wyndham, an extended-stay hotel; and LaQuinta, a midscale hotel brand that’s also part of the Wyndham Hotels & Resorts group.
The original plans that the council heard in 2019 also call for the future construction of a second Wyndham hotel that would have 80 rooms.
Upon completion of the subsequent phase, parking would be shared between the office/retail building and the second hotel. The number of parking spaces would number 210 under the developer’s proposal, rather than the 229 that would be required under the city’s development ordinance, which calls for 1.25 spaces per rental unit or room.
The first phase of the project – which consists of one hotel building – off Lowes Boulevard is nearing construction plan approval, Ashley Ownbey, development director for the city of Mebane, confirmed Wednesday for The Alamance News.
Meanwhile, clearing and grading of the land has begun.
LOTS MORE MEBANE NEWS IN THIS WEEK’S (JAN. 12) EDITION:
Duke Health begin work on medical office building, first project on 22 acres purchased by Duke Health in Mebane: https://alamancenews.com/duke-health-beginning-work-on-3-story-medical-office-bldg/
City council annexes land where McKay Books plans to build: https://alamancenews.com/mckay-books-to-build-in-mebane/
What’s being built beside Hursey’s BBQ on NC 119?: https://alamancenews.com/the-public-asks-whats-being-built-beside-hurseys-bbq-in-mebane/
Long-time police chief to retire in July: https://alamancenews.com/mebane-police-chief-announces-retirement-this-time-for-real/
City council rejects developer’s request to change entrance/exit into ETJ subdivision with fewer options for residents: https://alamancenews.com/mebane-city-council-rejects-developers-request-to-reduce-entry-exit-options-into-etj-subdivision-along-nc-119/
City council recommends that county commissioners appoint retired businessman David Scott to city’s planning board: https://alamancenews.com/mebane-council-recommends-commissioners-appoint-retired-businessman-david-scott-to-citys-planning-board/
Dunkin Donuts (finally) about to open – after 6-month delay: https://alamancenews.com/update-dunkin-donuts-in-mebane-prepares-finally-to-open/
