Milton might do hotel study
MILTON — The city of Milton is considering a study that could suggest whether the area near Highway 59 and the future Highway 26 bypass would be a good spot for a hotel.
In a meeting Tuesday, the Milton City Council directed the city to seek proposals for a study that would show, among other things, whether the Highway 26/59 corridor is a suitable location, and whether projected traffic and occupancy demand would support a hotel there.
The city now has no overnight lodging.
Officials have discussed development of a hotel in Milton for years, but new talks have surfaced in recent months amid the pending Highway 26 bypass project.
Preliminary studies by the Milton Area Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism show that a demand for hotel occupancy in the Janesville area has grown while available hotel rooms have tapered off, chamber Director Christina Slaback told the council Tuesday.
The chamber and the city are looking to learn in greater depth what that trend means for Milton, Slaback said.
The study could cost $5,000 to $15,000, officials estimated.
The area surrounding the Highway 26/59 corridor is in a tax increment financing district, which means the city could offer developers incentives to build there once highway construction is completed.
City Administrator Jerry Schuetz said in an interview that the city recently had a "soft inquiry" from a hotel developer who is interested in the Highway 26/59 corridor.
Schuetz said the city has learned that in most cases, hotel developers are investor-generated and franchised out, and most want municipalities to have a hotel feasibility study in hand before they'll consider a site.
A hotel study could take a few months, but depending what the city learned, it might have to act fast, Slaback said. Hotel studies tend to have a shorter shelf life than feasibility studies.
Councilman Brett Frazier, who is director of the chamber of commerce in Oregon, agreed.
The time will be ripe in the next two years for development, with the Highway 26 bypass slated for completion, Frazier said. The city would be wasting time and money if it did the study and shelved it for years.
"It doesn't make any sense to do this if we're not motivated for the recruitment process," he said.
Slaback and Schuetz said the study would be detailed and comprehensive enough that if the city learned that the Highway 26/59 corridor was not suitable for a hotel, it could use it to woo other possible developments, Schuetz and Slaback said.
Mayor Tom Chesmore said the city should be willing to show hotel developers it's serious about spurring growth along the new bypass.
"My personal opinion, if you aren't willing to send out for RFPs (study proposals), you're sending a message that you don't want a hotel," Chesmore said.
May 4, 2012 at 9:02 a.m.
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I would also say that the city officials have no brains if they need to pay to have this studied. Do they not live in or know what goes on in their own city?
May 4, 2012 at 8:49 a.m.
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No study. Encourage someone to do a bed and breakfast in one of the large charming homes.
May 3, 2012 at 4:34 p.m.
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partarican1
Why no B@B granted- seems rude to me. What is the issue. Where was the location. People look for these close to a bigger city!
May 3, 2012 at 4:24 p.m.
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Better not put FOOD in the hotel or people will get mad!!
May 3, 2012 at 2:52 p.m.
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Watch the video and notice how many businesses are empty and the town looks run down.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLoSI1mY3...
May 3, 2012 at 2:32 p.m.
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Vote in people that have common sense instead of people that spend money on studies for the simplest things. I think some would pay for a study to see if the sun will come up tomorrow in the east. These people that pushed for the splash park probably think people nation wide will come to splash around and will need a hotel. The hotels are empty...it's not rocket science.
May 3, 2012 at 2:04 p.m.
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oh my gosh, no...why? there are plenty of hotels in Janesville...you wouldn't let the Bendlins have roomers or borders, so why the hotel study?
May 3, 2012 at 11:53 a.m.
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Milton. Your schools are failing. You've just made yourselves look like HUGE jerks with the Los Agaves thing. And you want a hotel study in Milton? How many events are so large in Milton that there needs to be lodging in town? Well, maybe Schuetz can get off his bottom and use that $68,000 the city received in overpayment of taxes that they legally do not have to return and pay for the study. Schuetz and the city council need to go. They should take the school board with them.
May 3, 2012 at 11:42 a.m.
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Maybe there could be a study that would eliminate the City Council members and the mayor - then things could progress in Milton!
May 3, 2012 at 9:02 a.m.
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Hoteliers are entrepreneurs. If there was a need for a hotel at any location, it would be there.
Unless it's a subsidized project, no hotelier in their right mind would put a franchised name hotel at that location.
Senario: new hotel in Milton. Great honeymoon period, 3 years, tops. Due to poor rates driven by low occupancy, property changes name to a non franchised name. Insert your vision of clientele, in 6 years people of Milton want property gone.
Milton, save the money, it's not even worth the survey.
May 3, 2012 at 7:53 a.m.
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As long as the owners are part of the Milton good ole boys club, they should be fine.
May 3, 2012 at 6:50 a.m.
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Is it such a long drive from the half empty Janesville hotels?
May 3, 2012 at 6:44 a.m.
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With several Motels within 10 minutes of Milton would this really make sense? then you are with in 2 minutes of your choice of a place to stay...
May 3, 2012 at 5:57 a.m.
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If the city council came up with the idea, its likely someone on the council has a chance to make a buck.
May 3, 2012 at 5:48 a.m.
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Milton had a chance at a Bed and Breakfast but the city council, in their wisdom, denied it. What makes you think a motel/hotel has a chance.
May 2, 2012 at 9:24 p.m.
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I think we should do a study to see if we need a hydro-electric plant in Milton.
May 2, 2012 at 9:23 p.m.
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Why waste tax payers money? Why would people stay in Milton?....Towns with no interstate traffic through them dont really need a hotel...especially if it hasnt been a problem.
Janesville is right down the road...almost connected. Also do you think a hotel in Milton would have cheaper rates than Janesville? Doubt it, so people will still drive to Janesville, also if they are staying over they want food, and stores... what does Milton have to offer for stores that are open after 9pm???
May 2, 2012 at 8:05 p.m.
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Milton hasn't had a hotel since Joseph Goodrich's Milton House; I think the town is overdue for one. And now that the bypass is coming into play, something needs to be done. Businesses are worried about the lack of tourism after the completion of the bypass, but if there was a hotel in town that would attract more people. Sure Janesville has more to choose from, but a lot of people like to stay in more quiet locations and drive a short distance to get somewhere. 'Milton - Hometown Goodness'
May 2, 2012 at 7:45 p.m.
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Study this, study that, hire another consultant. Whats the difference it's not their money
May 2, 2012 at 7:09 p.m.
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I would love to see a motel/hotel in Milton. It is very difficult to arrange Milton events with no Milton motels or hotels. The motel at Newville will not reserve a block of rooms for events, so we are just left with Janesville.
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