The City of Saline has at time simultaneously worn two hats in its relationship with local hotel developer Saline Lodging Group. [1,2]
In its role as municipality, there is its role in providing needed government approvals and ensuring compliance with codes and ordinances. Distinct from that is the city as owner of the property upon which developers wished to construct their building. That was a deal to be negotiated, where the City of Saline was simply one party, incurring its own obligations to be fulfilled as part of a sale ultimately brokered by its agent, Swisher Commercial. [3-7]
For its part, Saline Lodging Group general manager Mark Kuykendall told Saline Journal that he has been in “informal contact” with some members of Saline City Council and with Mayor Brian Marl, on an ad hoc schedule since closing last February. He has also been readily accessible to Saline Journal throughout this progress reporting, updates on detail decisions as made, and timeline adjustments. [8]
Then, just before the holidays, the mayor reached out to Mr Kuykendall with a request that he provide a formal report to Council shortly after start of the new year. [9]
Official City of Saline video recording of the presentation in its entirety as made last night is now available on Vimeo. Easily discernable PowerPoint slides feature month-by-month views of site progress, March 2018 to current month. He provided design boards depicting “the various finish selections that will be used and have been approved by Best Western design and architect team for flooring, walls, ceilings, guest room furniture — intended to show the high quality and an up-to-date style,” fleshing out what we shared with our own readers here just before Christmas. [10,11]
In terms of booking, he reported on solid commitments for summer and fall, adding that the official Best Western online reservation system will be available to serve this property beginning “in a few weeks.
We’re reaching out to try to work with as many local vendors and all the local talent we have here in Saline for many different things. I’ve been talking to local bakers and brewers that you all know, and there’s actually a Detroit chef we’re looking at using, just as a consultant, to help us develop a food concept and a menu.
And we’re connecting with local photographers and artists. Our idea still is to have the decor reflect the local area, to give the guests a sense of place. So we’re working really hard to put that together in a way that will really shows off Saline.
Further to this point, he went on to identify by name local contractors Tri-County Electric, IDS Comm, and Peters Building. [12-14]
Additional information provided in his written report to shareholders included updates on funding for the completion of construction, approved by First State Bank Chesterfield Township during the second week of November. He expressed concern about aspects in which the Small Business Administration is involved, as the partial federal government shutdown affects the SBA. This “could possibly cause our first major project delay,” he wrote. [15-18]
A “hard hat” tour is also anticipated for “some point in the near future,” with all Saline Lodging Group investors and city officials to be included on that invitation list. A formal grand opening and dedication ceremony will be held “sometime soon after.”
In the albeit brief time that has passed since Mark Kuykendall made his presentation to Saline City Council, meteorologists have suggested that the long-overdue Michigan winter weather may be on the horizon, in waves arriving late this week and into the weekend. [19]
“I’m thrilled with the progress they have made in recent months,” Mayor Marl told Saline Journal afterwards. “This is a very important project. Upon completion it will increase the economic vitality of our eastern corridor, and ultimately the entire city.” By all indications, Council was completely satisfied with the update as well. Never shy about prodding for further specifics in even the most detailed accountings, they raised no questions here.
As for threats of snow, Jim Haeussler, President of Peters Building, is not fazed. “We always watch the weather in the construction business,” he said this afternoon.
We deal with what comes along.
References
- Saline (home page).
- “Lucy Ann Lance Updates Her Radio Audience on Saline Hotel Progress” Dell Deaton (January 25, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Planning Commission” Saline.
- “Building, Engineering, Planning, Zoning & Code Enforcement” Saline.
- “Progress Report On Saline Hotel: Take Note Of Visible Transitions Now In Anticipation Of Completion Date” Dell Deaton (September 18, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Swisher Commercial (home page).
- “It’s Important to Know Both History and the Market for Strategic Business Development in Saline” Dell Deaton (May 15, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Progress Report On Saline Hotel: Negotiations Are Now Taking Place To Book Groups In Anticipation Of 2019 Opening” Dell Deaton (November 14, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “It’s Official: City, Developers Complete Deal to Build New Saline Hotel” Janet Deaton (March 1, 2018) Saline Journal.
- “Saline City Council Meeting 1-14-2019” City of Saline (January 14, 2019) Vimeo.
- “It’s About Time For A Look Inside Best Western Premier Hotel That Will Be Open In Eastgate Saline Next Spring” Dell Deaton (December 21, 2018) Saline Journal.
- Tri-County Electric (home page).
- IVS Comm (home page).
- Peters Building (home page).
- First State (home page).
- SBA: US Small Business Administration (home page).
- “Government Shutdown 2019, 2018, and 2013 Explained” Kimberly Amadeo (January 11, 2019 The Balance.
- “What’s closed during the partial government shutdown?” Kathryn Watson, Kris Van Kleave, and Arden Farhi (January 9, 2019) CBS News.
- “Major Snowstorm Likely Friday Into the Weekend From the Plains to the Midwest and Northeast” (January 15, 2018) The Weather Channel.
