Interested developers of a new hotel and conference center will take a walking tour around downtown Columbus to view potential sites for the proposed development.
A pre-response meeting and tour is scheduled for 1 to 3 p.m. May 10 beginning at Columbus City Hall, 123 Washington St. Commission project coordinator Kelly Geckler said at least 10 potential developers have expressed interest in attending the meeting and tour.
Two sites have been identified by city officials as possible locations for the hotel project — a Bartholomew County-owned site and adjoining parking lot of 2.28 acres between Second and Third Street just north of the county jail, or the Second and Lafayette street site which is controlled and owned by the city and the redevelopment commission.
Primary elements of the branded conference center hotel include:
140 or more guest rooms
9,000-square-foot divisible ballroom
4,000- to 5,000-square-foot of divisible breakout meeting rooms (at least 5 divisions)
3-meal restaurant
Parking estimated at 380 spaces
Possible urban grocery (preferred, not required)
Possible urban apartments (additional future potential phase)
The estimated cost of the conference center hotel development would be about $25 million.
Firms must submit qualifications by 5 p.m. June 7 with three to four developers to be chosen by this summer who will be invited to submit proposals, according to the redevelopment commission.
A request for proposals from the selected developers is a detailed document that includes the scope, materials, design and plans for the project, the commission said. The final developer is expected to be named by this fall.
