Progress

January 6, 2009

Another new hotel being proposed for W-B Township

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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A new hotel – still unnamed – will be built in Wilkes-Barre Township near the Wachovia Arena if all zoning permits are approved.

According to Wilkes-Barre Township zoning officer Andrew Kratz, a hearing will be held on Jan. 13 on a request of Bipen Patel to build a three-story hotel near the Tobyhanna Army Depot credit union on Schechter Drive.

Casey Cawley, an associate with Reilly Engineering of West Pittston, said Patel plans to build a 70-plus room hotel on the site.

“We represent the developer,” Cawley said. “At this time, there is no contract affiliation with a hotel chain, so we can’t say what the name of the facility will be.”

Cawley said Patel must receive approval from the township and then the county to build the hotel.

“The process could take eight months,” Cawley said. “We don’t anticipate construction beginning for some time yet.”

If approved, this will be the second new hotel proposed for the area near the arena. Millett Real Estate of Clarks Summit, which purchased about 3 acres at the end of Schechter Drive near Interstate 81 and the arena, has begun construction of a Hampton Inn.

A building permit was issued July 30 by Wilkes-Barre Township and it calls for construction of a five-story hotel with just over 100 rooms. The project cost was estimated at $7.2 million.

The zoning hearing for the Patel application is set for 7 p.m. at the township building, 150 Watson St.

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