SALEM (WSLS 10) - A major economic project could create a new cash-flow for the city of Salem and make it more convenient for people who come to the Salem Civic Center and LewisGale field.
A new hotel and restaurant are in the works right next door to both popular facilities.
With city approval, construction could begin as early as this 2016.
Spartan Developers LLC made up of co-managers Dan Friesland, Jim Garst and Alan Criss is behind the project that they say has been talked about for years.
"The need is there," said City manager Kevin Boggess.
A new research survey the developers asked for proves that business is more than there to sustain a hotel.
Between the Salem Fair, concerts, Red Sox games and Friday night football, Tens of thousands of people come in and out of the 65-acre property each year.
The Salem Civic Center is the hub of the James E. Taliaferro Sports Complex which seats 7,000 people.
For nearly 50 years, the space has hosted the talents of big name acts like Johnny Cash, Kenny Chesney, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Def Leppard and James Brown.
The Civic Center is currently the home of the NCAA Division III men's basketball Final Four.
"I'm tremendously excited. This will be a tremendous asset to the community," Garst said.
A business idea that has great potential to not only benefit concert go-ers and sports fans, but prove to be a huge success for the owners.
"We think it's a good investment," Criss said. "We believe that the city of Salem attracts a number of events throughout the year that this just makes sense."
Most importantly, the nearest hotel is miles away on the Salem exits. While most hotel franchises require close proximity to the interstate, but Spartan Development, LLC says the place to build is right there. Staybridge Hotel chain is on board.
The property is also surrounded by businesses that could benefit from overnight customers. The research survey pointed out that extended stay hotels would be the most needed in the area.
"Absolutely. We have a lot of overnight stayers that come to these businesses. You have your insurance companies on either side here, and of course visitors to Roanoke College," Friesland said.
Renderings provided by the group shows first looks at the 95-room hotel that would even feature a four-thousand square foot local/regional chain restaurant that the group would not disclose. They say however, an agreement has been made.
"We think it will be great for p
re-game eating and post-game eating and before concerts and after concerts type thing," Criss said. "It will be a real added amenity to the Salem Civic Center property."
Salem city manager Kevin Boggess says the sale of the land to build the hotel would be in the cities best economic interest, however that decision will be up to Salem City Council.
"Anytime we can bring more hotel rooms in and get them filled up - that's great for the community as well," Boggess said.
He says the idea is nothing new, it's just taken the right people to come along with the right idea.
"This would be a great source of revenue for the City of Salem as well as an economic boost to Visit Virginia Blue Ridge," Boggess said.
Salem City Council still has to approve the deal. A public hearing will be held on Monday.