TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - The Railroad Square Art District could soon welcome a brand new hotel, but the deal isn't finished.
Shops in the area are already looking at this as a potential economic boost.
If the deal gets approved, builders will put a new Hyatt House Hotel at the Railroad Avenue entrance between FAMU Way and Railroad Square on the greenway.
That's great news to the up and coming district.
"The past couple years Railroad Square itself has gotten some really new local spots and our hope is with the hotel that it is going to bring a lot more tourist and then they got an easy way to come into the square," said Duilan Allen, employee at The Other Side Village.
The Other Side Vintage is one of many shops in the area. Lily Kaye, Owner of Railroad Square, said this could be a big impact economically for those small stores.
"It's been really difficult for them to stay afloat as well as the rest of retail," said Kaye. "I believe that having the hotel here will bring a constant flow of traffic so that these businesses can and will be able see a more continuous patronage."
And city leaders said that economic boost could extend to other parts of the city.
"You will have visitors here for days hopefully weeks at a time spending money at area businesses and it will certainly continue to help the economy grow," said Curtis Richardson, Tallahassee City Commissioner of District 2.
The hotel is expected to have about 120 rooms and a modern design. Kaye said the hotel company is working with them to build the hotel with a similar theme to the art district.
"The design that is being proposed actually includes some colorful blocks on the side of the building and we are talking about potentially showing some local art in the hotel," said Kaye.
If and when the hotel is approved, construction could start as soon as March 2019.
And if you're wondering about parking, there will also be an adjacent 6,000 square foot retail development that will provide additional parking.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Plans are in the works for a new hotel to be built at the entrance to Railroad Square Art District.
The owners of Railroad Square say the developer, Mountain Shore Properties, plans to build a Hyatt House Hotel with 120 rooms and an 6,000 square feet, according to a news release.
Developers are working to make the new construction fit with the art district.
Construction could begin as early as March 2019.
During the construction process, the Railroad Square entrance will stay open, but park management encourage visitors to use the new entrance off of FAMU Way.
