Downtown Wheeling Waterfront Hotel Moves Step Closer to Reality
Southern Hospitality Group named project’s developer
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Editor's note: This story will be updated with additional details following the formal announcement Tuesday morning.
WHEELING -- A little more than two years ago, local entrepreneur Barry Allen outlined his vision for a waterfront hotel in downtown Wheeling, which he believes is a key to the city's continued resurgence.
Tuesday morning, that vision took a major step toward reality.
Allen, joined by Gov. Patrick Morrisey, city officials and others, on Tuesday outlined the project's design phase and anticipated timeline. It also was announced that Southern Hospitality Group, led by President Andrew Cajka, will serve as the project's developer, marking a major milestone in bringing the hotel from concept to reality.
The planned hotel will sit at the corner of 14th and Water streets across from WesBanco Arena, at the site of the former Wheeling Coffee and Spice and National Equipment buildings. It will include a restaurant and retail space.
"We are so pleased to welcome this project to our city and our waterfront," Wheeling Mayor Dennis Magruder said. "Barry Allen and his team have worked extremely hard to bring this vision to life."
Allen has worked the past two-plus years to bring the project to this point. He credited the collaboration among local and state partners for moving the hotel forward.
"This has been a very intentional, well-thought-out and collaborative strategic process that could not have happened without everyone," Allen said. "I thank our local and state partners for all their help and assistance in pulling this project together."
Cajka said Greenville, S.C.-based Southern Hospitality Group is eager to begin work.
"Our firm is excited to be a part of this project," Cajka said. "We look forward to transforming the Wheeling waterfront."
According to the firm's website, Southern Hospitality Group, founded in 1998, "is approved to develop and manage independent and franchised hotels with Hyatt, Marriott, and Hilton." The company has developed and opened about two dozen hotels in locations such as Athens and Augusta, Ga.; Nashville; Charleston and Myrtle Beach, S.C.; and Asheville, N.C.
An economic impact analysis provided Tuesday morning projects the hotel will create substantial benefits for the region.
-- During the one-year construction period, the project is expected to generate nearly $88 million in total economic activity, support 465 jobs, provide $28 million in employee compensation and produce $2.8 million in state tax revenue.
-- Once fully operational, the hotel, its restaurant and its retail components are projected to generate nearly $23 million in annual economic activity, support 187 jobs, provide approximately $7.2 million in employee compensation and generate more than $2.1 million in annual state tax revenue.
-- The hotel alone is expected to support more than $12 million in annual spending and 87 jobs, while the restaurant is projected to generate more than $9 million in annual spending and 88 jobs. Retail operations are estimated to contribute an additional $1.3 million in annual spending and 12 jobs.