MONTAGUE — A new multi-million dollar hotel could be on the verge of construction here this fall.
If all goes well with the final contracts and details, The Guardian has learned the construction on the 30-room facility will begin on the banks of the Montague River this month.
“It’s in the proposed stage and it’s taken a lot of work,” said the new owner, who asked not to be identified until his building permit is filed. “We’re about 85 per cent complete with the financing and I'm confident we’re on the road to finalizing the project.”
The project has been in the works for two years as financing and designs were completed for the project named the Riverhouse Inn. Details about the proposed construction began surfacing as part of the Montague town election campaign.
Plans are to include a 100-seat multi-media room to provide convention-like facilities like video conferencing and Power Point presentations, but not a restaurant.
The Inn is designed to be a four-storey building complete with turrets and take advantage of the southern exposure to ensure substantial natural light throughout the building. All rooms, from basic to bridal suite, will overlook the Montague River.
“I think it will be a great addition to the town and we certainly need it,’’ said the owner. “I’ve had great support from those involved in this effort.”
Montague lost its only hotel when the waterfront structure was purchased years ago and turned into a seniors home. The change had little to do with the lack of business, but left the municipality with no hotel or motel option.
If this project does go ahead, the Riverhouse Inn plans to be open year-round to provide for the abundance of summer tourists and build on winter events from festivals, hockey and curling tournaments, and snowy getaways.
“We’ve got a great town and a great region here and I see this new project as helping to complement all the other attractions that have been developed in the community,” said the developer citing the town waterfront, museum, marina, restaurants, shopping, and the Artisan on Main project that featured artists working in three downtown buildings this summer.
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sorry, mr. kays. Building a hotel in Montague is news, regardless of who finances it. It's a big deal for Montague, and the Guardian "covers the Island like the dew." But even then, when the Holman Grand was announced, there was no mention of public funds. Only later did we find out that $30 million of the $45 million came from the taxpayer. However, there is no justification for withholding the name of the developer. If he applied for a building permit, it's a matter of public record.