72-room hotel planned

Ground work begins this month on a $13.8 million Hawthorn Suites extended-stay hotel on the northwest corner of Highway 50 East and Lompa Lane, the developer said Monday.

Andy Hettrick, project manager for RIDL Ltd., said the four-story, 72-room hotel will have a full kitchen in every suite, wireless Internet, an indoor swimming pool and a meeting room to accommodate 75 people.

The 66,000-square-foot hotel will be on two acres near the Carson City Freeway, which Hettrick said will benefit the development. RIDL Ltd. is a family-owned and operated partnership based in Carson City.

"Hawthorn Suites is an extended-stay property," Hettrick said. "It's intended for those who are here for recreation and especially for business."

He said the company hopes this venture will be profitable because of visitors who come into Carson City while the Legislature is in session. The company is also banking on business guests drawn here by the banks and big-box stores.

"Our feeling was that Carson City needed to have it," Hettrick said. "The freeway (access) made the location excellent. Our feeling was that Carson City needed some quality, extended-stay hotel rooms."

He said with the opening of Holiday Inn Express and development of the Hampton Inn near the bypass on North Carson Street, Carson City will become a more viable place for lodging. His goal is to keep visitors here, instead of in Reno or Lake Tahoe.

The project was financed by the Business Bank of Nevada. The contractor is Metcalf Builders and it was designed by Hannafin/Darney Architects, both of Carson City. RIDL Ltd. plans to break ground on the hotel this month and to open by October.

Carson City Supervisor Shelly Aldean said many hotel developers have decided to invest in Carson City because of increased tourism.

"I think people are probably betting on the future and an anticipation that Carson City will continue to grow and become a focal point of historic tourism for Northern Nevada," she said.

Tire Plus Total Car Care at 2660 Highway 50 East will not be affected.

Hampton Inn receives final permit

The final permit for the Hilton-franchise Hampton Inn was granted by Carson City in late December, developer Dave Friedrich said Monday.

"Things are going fantastic," he said. "We contracted with Metcalf Builders of Carson City and they have committed to a six-month time schedule. We'll be open on June 1. It's very, very aggressive, but it's attainable."

He said all the subcontractors agreed to work overtime and weekends if winter weather threaten any delays in the June opening. The 85-room inn will be at 10 Hospitality Way, formerly known as Art Court, which is off North Carson Street.

The 49,878 square-foot inn will cost $7 million, which is up slightly from earlier estimates. It will have 65 rooms and 20 suites.

It includes a pool, spa and exercise room. The three-story inn includes a two-story foyer and breakfast area, and a meeting room that can hold up to 75 people.

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

Hawthorn Suites

• Set to break ground late this month, to open in October

• This is the second

big-chain hotel to announce development plans along the Carson City bypass

• It will employ from 15 to 20 people

• Will be a four-story, 72-room hotel

• Will include a full kitchen in every suite, wireless Internet, an indoor swimming pool and a meeting room to accommodate 75

people.

• 66,000-square-foot hotel

• Cost: about $13.8

million