A proposal for a hotel in the downtown was greeted warmly by City Council, with some surprised the developer is asking for a piece of city-owned land that isn’t listed for sale.
Mathew Isabelle, owner of MJI Contracting and Champlain Holdings, brought his yet-to-be-named boutique hotel he is eyeing for a parcel of land on Market Avenue between CIBC and 125 Market Avenue. He presented concept designs for the hotel, which would include 33 rooms, 10-12 ground-level parking spaces and parallel parking spaces along the building. With the hotel in place, the laneway between the CIBC and 125 Market Avenue – slated to be the home of Lumberjack Brewing – will be turned into a one-way street leading to Highway 3.
This street will also allow buses to park next to the hotel.
They are not asking for dedicated parking along Market Avenue, he added.
The proposed four-storey hotel, Isabelle said, is a much-needed addition to the downtown and city.
He added that the city doesn’t have a true hotel and the city would benefit from one for many reasons.
“Right now whenever people are staying in Grand Forks, they stay maybe in the motels in the west end, driving in to the downtown, getting dinner or shopping, then driving out,” he said. “This will keep people downtown and they can walk from the hotel to venues.”
He added sports organizations, like the KIJHL, don’t allow Junior A level teams to stay in motels. With the Border Bruins upgraded to Junior A status, there is now a need for a suitable hotel for visiting teams to stay.
There were some concerns over parking raised, which Isabelle said shouldn’t be an issue. Their check-out time will be 10 a.m., and check-in is 3 p.m.
“Most businesses are open between 9 and 10 a.m. and close between 3 and 5 p.m., so there won’t be many parking conflicts,” he said. “If parking is full in the downtown, that’s a good day for the city.”
Isabelle added he’s already worked on several city projects, including gutting City Hall after the fire of 2013, rebuilt Johnny’s Hotel and built 12 rental residential homes across from the Grand Forks Fire/Rescue hall.
Councillor Rod Zielinski was quick to voice his surprise over Isabelle going to the media first to talk about his plans, knowing land matters are usually reserved for in-camera meetings.
He added he’s equally surprised to see an offer for city-owned land that isn’t for sale for a project that doesn’t comply with zoning.
Before requesting if this could go to an in-camera session, he asked if a hotel could go elsewhere in the downtown, such as nearer the riverfront, where there would be more parking.
Council has been grappling with parking in the downtown for a long time, he said, with a debate over getting rid of all parking requirements. He pointed out there are fewer than 1,000 spaces, public and private in the area.
If the parking requirements are done away with, the city will suddenly have parking lots up for sale.
“That is an important parking lot, everyone in the city uses it at some point,” he said. “If we were having in-camera, I would try to convince colleagues if we are giving up public parking stalls and want a downtown hotel, I recommend by the dental office near the riverfront. I’m trying to get my colleagues to re-imagine that area as parking, but I can see it as a hotel area.
“I don’t think we are going to have anyone say we don’t need a hotel.”
Zielinski added he didn’t want to commit Isabelle to something that may hinder his ability to finish construction of the apartments on 68th Avenue.
Isabelle pointed out that the lot he is looking at is city-owned land that used to house a hotel. It’s only a rough draft and all their proposed designs rarely initially fit zoning. They are willing to work with the city and everyone in the downtown to make it work.
On the apartments on 68th Ave., Isabelle explained he came in to talk to staff about intent to increase density on the back half of the property. Originally, there were 16 homes in the first phase and 13 in the second. He wanted to re-design to make it a 28-unit apartment building, but Found it had no sewer fastening, so the build is on hold until that is resolved.
He does have every intention of finishing, Isabelle said, pointing out he’s heard from many people about issues of the city approving construction, but shovels never make it into the ground.
Councillor Neil Krog said he was open to a hotel in the downtown, praising its design.
“I applaud this concept. This is the first development of its kind in this city,” he said. “I especially like the ground-level parking. When Dr. Mark (Szynkaruk) presented his architect’s findings for Lumberjack Brewing, it showed there is plenty of parking.”