Another extended-stay hotel is slated for Prospect Park.
A new five-story Residence Inn by Marriott, proposed by developer Kaeding Development and architect Momentum Design Group, LLC, will be discussed at a city meeting this week. The project is the second extended-stay hotel to be proposed in Prospect Park within the past year.
“We look forward to continuing the conversation about this exciting project,” wrote Jeffrey Wrede, project architect from Momentum, in a letter sent to the city in November. Representatives for the project were unavailable for additional comment.
The project, located at the corner of University Avenue Southeast and Bedford Street Southeast, includes 102 units and 67 parking spaces, according to city documents. It would feature kitchenettes in every unit, an outside patio on the top floor, underground parking, a fitness area and a meeting room.
The current site houses the former Schneider Drug store, a warehouse building and a surface parking lot. Some residents said they are happy to see the site is now being redeveloped.
“We need to make space for new buildings,” said Steve Gagnon, who lives next door to the site. “I hope they build buildings that are meant to stick around for a while.”
A task force has been meeting with the developers since August. Concerns included the design and height of the building.
“We believe that through constructive criticism from the neighborhood, we have designed a much better building that will be a great addition to this City,” the letter reads. The development team will be asking the city for both a zoning change and a height variance.
Another extended-stay hotel on University Avenue, Home2 Suites by Hilton, was proposed in July by Prospect Park Properties.
“We’ve seen an increase in the number of hotels in the area,” said Ward 2 City Council member Cam Gordon.
The hotels might attract those who have short-term employment opportunities, hospital visits or conferences to attend, he said.
The proposal currently includes plans for a community meeting space. While Gordon said he likes this idea, the site could have had even more public use, he said. Gordon suggested developers also include an honorary display of Schneider Drug’s history.
Getting new developments along University Avenue would be beneficial, said Prospect Park resident Dan Bryant.
“I’m happy to see what we’re getting and hope it will continue. … It makes the area more vibrant,” he said. “I’d like to see more activity, more people walking around, [and] hopefully get more retail spaces filled.”
The project will likely break ground in spring 2020.
