New Virginia City hotel planned

Construction on a $4 million hotel in Virginia City will begin soon, following several months of groundwork that was complicated by tailings left by the California Mine, which was once beside the site.

The owner said Tuesday that despite having to dig through the mine tailings, the AmeriHost Hotel will open by May 2006.

Hugh R. Marshall, president of Silverland USA, said the 100 E St. location will welcome tourists riding the V&T rail line. Marshall said it has been his dream to build these two hotels in Virginia City since 1985.

"Anything worth doing takes a lot of time," Marshall said.

He signed a contract last year with Cendant Corp. to build two franchise hotels in Virginia City. The second larger hotel will cost about $15 million and will be 120,000 square feet with 120 rooms. It will be on D Street above the cemetery. The water and sewer hookups for the first hotel are secured.

"We're set to build the big one in about three years after AmeriHost opens in May 2006," Marshall said. "It should be completed in by March or April, but we'll have to do training for staff and clean up."

He said historic Virginia City gets enough tourism to support two hotels.

"Without a hotel, guests don't spend the night, they just go down the hill," he said. "What this will do for the town is put 80 to 100 people walking around the town of Virginia City during the day and the night."

Susan Sutton, executive director for the Virginia City Convention and Tourism Authority, said the AmeriHost will double the number of rooms available in the city. When it's completed, she predicts Virginia City will double its take from the transit occupancy tax.

She said the city is projecting a $55,000 income from the occupancy tax this year an increase of about $3,000.

"So 60 additional rooms (in 2006) will almost double it," Sutton said. "This money is used for marketing and events."

n Contact reporter Becky Bosshart at bbosshart@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1212.

Amerihost hotel

67 rooms

48,832 square feet

Three floors with four large meeting rooms, a small bar and casino

The lower floor will overlook the Comstock Park Arena, which is used for the camel races

Will employ about 25 people

Located along the route of the V&T Railroad

Projected to have a net profit of about $1 million in its third year of operation

The wingate inn

Construction to begin three or four years after the completion of the AmeriHost

120 rooms

120,000 square feet

Four floors with an entertainment complex, convention space and a casino

Source: Silverland USA