Drawings submitted for new Hwy. 71 hotel
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

Coming Soon Plans for this new threestory, 57- room hotel have been submitted to the city and the project should break ground this spring. The hotel will be located on South Mechanic at the intersection of East Alfred across from Holy Cross Cemetery. L-N Photo

Plans for a new 57-room hotel have been submitted to the city of El Campo's Inspection's Department and the project should break ground this spring.

The three-story La Quinta Inns & Suites will be located on South Mechanic Street at the intersection of East Alfred across from Holy Cross Cemetery.

Freeway access was the main reason for the location, owner Vic Desai said in a Thursday telephone interview with the Leader-News.

Desai has interest in two other El Campo hotels, but said he opted for the La Quinta name on the new project because he liked the company.

City Manager John Steelman informed Council of the submitted plans during Monday's session.

The new hotel will be a positive addition to the community, he said.

El Campo Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture President Becca Socha agreed.

"A new hotel definitely is an advantage to show that our community is trying to attract travelers off of U.S. 59 and Hwy. 71 to stay," she said. "As we know El Campo has the best people, hospitality and service mean everything to business people and families.

"With the new hotel, this brings in extra tourism dollars, which of course goes back to our city. The Chamber, the Beautification Committee (BEEs) and El Campo Museum are able to receive some of the dollars to then allow our groups to enhance our tourism projects."

City Building Official Andy Waligura is in the process of reviewing the building plans - an effort he says will take two to three weeks.

No contractor has filed for a building permit yet, he said, but added that shouldn't take long.

Ground breaking is anticipated in the next three months, Desai said, adding construction will likely take 12 months. "The infrastructure is already there," Waligura said.

El Campo currently has six hotels offering a total of 273 rooms with prices ranging from $22 a night to $85.