PRINCE GEORGE -
We have an update on the proposed hotel at Fort Lee.
Tuesday, dozens of area business leaders met with Congressman Randy Forbes to express their concerns about how the new hotel will hurt not help the community.
"It can devastate the hotel industry here," Traci Hackley of the Comfort Inn in Prince George.
Plans were recently revealed that a hotel of 1,000-1,700 rooms could be built on the army post as part of its expansion.
"It comes as a shock to the community that they are planning to build such a large hotel on Fort Lee," says Hopwell City Councilwoman Christina Luman-Bailey.
Hotels and restaurants near Fort Lee are there primarily because of the business they get from the Army.
Every month thousands of soldiers temporarily assigned to Fort Lee for training or classroom courses stay for weeks at area hotels and eat at area restaurants. If the hotel is built on post...
"Our occupancy rate would drop, tremendously, it would really drop,"> Shaneika Jones of the Holiday Inn Express in Prince George County.
A meeting with Congressman Randy Forbes was meant to relay their fears. But the congressman relayed his own concerns.
"This is a tremendous economic asset, probably one of the greatest economic engines in Virginia or in the country, we don't won't to jeopardize that engine," says Congressman Randy Forbes.
Many here hoped a compromise to a smaller hotel would be the answer, but were shocked to hear a new figure that the Army wants to keep 75% of the soldiers on post.
"How long has that been in effect? For the last five years, Fort Lee has been running with 577 rooms. Where did that regulation come in, and how does that regulation compare with other segments of the DOD?" says John Whyte of the Ramada Plaza of Petersburg.
The coalition of 115 Tri-City area businesses hope Congressman Forbes will take their concerns to the Army, and that both sides can continue to talk to try and reach a compromise that will benefit the community and the soldiers.
We'll of course continue to follow this story and keep you updated.
Tuesday, dozens of area business leaders met with Congressman Randy Forbes to express their concerns about how the new hotel will hurt not help the community.
"It can devastate the hotel industry here," Traci Hackley of the Comfort Inn in Prince George.
Plans were recently revealed that a hotel of 1,000-1,700 rooms could be built on the army post as part of its expansion.
"It comes as a shock to the community that they are planning to build such a large hotel on Fort Lee," says Hopwell City Councilwoman Christina Luman-Bailey.
Hotels and restaurants near Fort Lee are there primarily because of the business they get from the Army.
Every month thousands of soldiers temporarily assigned to Fort Lee for training or classroom courses stay for weeks at area hotels and eat at area restaurants. If the hotel is built on post...
"Our occupancy rate would drop, tremendously, it would really drop,"> Shaneika Jones of the Holiday Inn Express in Prince George County.
A meeting with Congressman Randy Forbes was meant to relay their fears. But the congressman relayed his own concerns.
"This is a tremendous economic asset, probably one of the greatest economic engines in Virginia or in the country, we don't won't to jeopardize that engine," says Congressman Randy Forbes.
Many here hoped a compromise to a smaller hotel would be the answer, but were shocked to hear a new figure that the Army wants to keep 75% of the soldiers on post.
"How long has that been in effect? For the last five years, Fort Lee has been running with 577 rooms. Where did that regulation come in, and how does that regulation compare with other segments of the DOD?" says John Whyte of the Ramada Plaza of Petersburg.
The coalition of 115 Tri-City area businesses hope Congressman Forbes will take their concerns to the Army, and that both sides can continue to talk to try and reach a compromise that will benefit the community and the soldiers.
We'll of course continue to follow this story and keep you updated.
