Hampton Inn and Suites proposes new site near Miller Hill Mall

A few years ago a Hampton Inn and Suites, the second for the city of Duluth, was proposed to be constructed on the corner of Joshua Avenue and Maple Grove Road behind the Stone Ridge Shopping Center. The plan for that hotel development did not end up receiving a rezoning approval from the city planning commission as there were great concerns by the neighbors regarding creation traffic and various lighting impacts. Apparently Hampton Inn and Suites must really want a location in the Miller Hill Mall area because they're back at it again and this time around we think it's better than the first.

Hampton Inn and Suites is proposing a 4 story hotel to be constructed in Duluth Hill, a retail development that has been planned for many years that currently only includes Texas Roadhouse. Yes, we talking about that great site that is perched a top a little hill across from The Home Depot. It's arguably one of the better commercial sites in the Miller Hill area.

The new hotel will feature 91 rooms and a pool and is being developed by TKO Hotels out of Aberdeen, South Dakota. It is the second proposed Hampton Inn and Suites hotel in the area as one was proposed last month in Superior, therefore bringing to the possible total count of this single hotel brand up to three in the Twin Ports area. If all goes according to plan, construction could begin before the end of summer.

OUR VIEW

We do have to say that we are pretty excited about this one. We think it's a great alternative to the first proposal while keeping the desire for another Hampton Inn and Suites something that actually can come to fruition. The new site for the hotel makes much better use of vacant commercial land. The Duluth Hill development was originally to include a freestanding fast casual restaurant along with a retail strip center and two big box stores. However, those plans never became a reality when the downturn in the economy occurred. We actually were just thinking last week what was going to happen to this site now that there is such an influx in commercial development within Duluth. Well, now we know.