By Sarah Hall
shall@salisburypost.com
Empire Properties of Raleigh has been selected as developer of the Empire Hotel property in downtown Salisbury, City Council learned Tuesday.
Downtown Salisbury Inc. President Dick Huffman highlighted the background of the project, and past president Brian Miller described the selection process occurring since the hotel was purchased from the Ragsdale family of Jamestown on July 19, 2007.
Miller pointed out the unusual cooperation among seven banks with Downtown Salisbury Inc. to make this project come about, and he called the committee of officials and citizens who worked on the project a “dream team.”
Seven developers applied to tackle the project, five were interviewed, and Empire Properties was selected for its accomplishments in downtown Raleigh and its approach of revitalization, not just redevelopment. The firm’s work is evident in some 40 buildings its has revitalized.The coincidence of the “Empire” name was not ignored in the presentation by Greg Hatem, managing partner, who joked that their company used to be called “Acme Properties.”
Hatem was accompanied by Empire President Andrew Stewart. Their presentation showed construction plans, including 60,000 square feet of hotel use with 75 to 85 rooms, restoration of the 4,200-square-foot grand ballroom, and 25,000 square feet of ground-floor retail.
Craig Spitzer, Empire’s director of hospitality, will oversee the Empire Hotel project. He was unable to attend Tuesday’s meeting due to company business in Raleigh.
The plans anticipate a 12-month pre-construction phase, an 18-month construction period and delivery of the project in 2011.
An independent review of the hotel market indicates a need for additional rooms in Salisbury. From May 2007 to February 2008, in spite of a slumping economy, Salisbury hotels had record months. Salisbury currently has about 900 motel and hotel rooms, as compared to about 1,600 in Statesville, which is smaller.
Councilman Bill Burgin spoke highly of the developer’s plans. Speaking from an architect’s perspective, he said he can see the difference between a developer’s “trying to turn a buck” and a company that sees real revitalization potential.
Mayor Susan Kluttz told Hatem and Stewart, “Salisbury is fortunate you chose us.”