The city of Westfield is moving forward with a proposal from Greenwood-based Jonathan Byrd’s for a five-story hotel at Grand Park.
Executives with the Fishers office of Fort Wayne-based The Hagerman Group Inc. introduced the project to the Westfield Plan Commission. The 180-room hotel will be on 5.26 acres of city-owned property immediately to the west of the future indoor soccer facility on 191st Street.
Anticipated room prices and the cost of the project were not disclosed.
The city issued a request for proposals in June and received six responses, including one from Jonathan Byrd’s, which in addition to its widely known catering business also has a company branch that operates hotels.
In the RFP, the city suggested having rooms arranged as a dormitory with shared common areas for suites. The facility would include a front desk, mail room, kitchenette or breakfast area, lounge, laundry operations, pool, exercise room, office area and parking.
The hotel, dubbed “The Haven at Grand Park,” is expected to be complete by July to accommodate visitors during the peak of the summer sports season.
Demand for hotel rooms during tournaments at the park has been strong, as Westfield only has one hotel currently open.
Some out-of-town players, coaches and spectators have stayed in hotels in surrounding cities, with some being pushed as far away as Kokomo and Lafayette.
The city will maintain ownership of the land and lease it to Jonathan Byrd’s in order to maintain leverage over the land in the long term because of its proximity to the 370,000-square-foot indoor soccer facility and presence within the park.
It’s possible the hotel could connect to the soccer facility, but the details have not been finalized.
