WHEELING - The Wheeling Planning Commission on Monday approved a site plan for a $12 million extended-stay hotel in Woodsdale.
Developer Jonathan Bedway said he plans to construct a five-story Marriott TownePlace Suites that will offer 112 miniature apartments. He estimated after the meeting that it will cost $10 million to $12 million to construct the building. It will be located next to an existing Marriott hotel just off National Road in Woodsdale. Construction is expected to begin either this fall or next spring and take a year to complete.
Bedway said when he constructed the Marriott hotel years ago, he already was planning to build an extended stay facility in the future.
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Photo by Shelley Hanson
Developer Jonathan Bedway talks Monday about his plans to build a Marriott TownePlace Suites next to his existing Marriott hotel in Woodsdale.
''Based on research ... we saw there was a need in Wheeling. And with the recent influx of shale activity, that reinforced our research,'' Bedway said, referring to natural gas drilling workers.
Bedway said extended stay hotels typically are used by people who need temporary housing for two weeks or longer. The rates are usually cheaper than a regular hotel, but Bedway said the prices have yet to be set.
Before the site plan was approved, commission member Arch Riley Jr. expressed concern about the new building creating additional light that might bother Maple Avenue residents. Bedway's environmental manager, Michael Kearns of Penn E&R of New Martinsville, said a study conducted for the project shows the light will ''zero out'' at the property line. He also noted the existing stormwater system will be used to capture additional runoff at the site.
''It was always anticipated there would be some kind of (additional) development here, so we oversized the storm system,'' Kearns said, noting the water is directed into Wheeling Creek.
Bedway said after the suites are built there will be no more room for additional development at the site. The commission also approved Anthoni Avenue as the road name to the site. It is named after Bedway's father who died in January.
