In addition to creating more business and living space and helping property owners renovate their properties, there is also the idea of enticing a hotel to call home in the city center.
“We think this would be a great downtown convenience, especially as we begin developing some of these projects in our pipeline,” said Dave Ramstad, Willmar’s Director of Planning and Development, during the meeting on Monday Willmar City CouncilorCommunity Development Committee.
Ramstad sought a committee agreement to further refine the hotel idea, including a request for proposals that could one day be sent to various hotel chains.
“We wanted to make sure we got the committee’s approval to go outside of the committee to look into this,” Ramstad said.
The Willmar Renaissance Zone spans the entire downtown area as well as several sections of residential and commercial areas along US Highway 12 and First Street South. Map provided by the city of Willmar
The committee gave its OK. Ramstad will return to the committee and full city council for final approval of the proposal before it is sent out.
“This is still an open book about what we can add, take out and edit,” said Ramstad.
Ramstad’s Vision isn’t just a regular hotel for regular travelers to Willmar. Instead, he wants the hotel aligned and built nearby Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital. It would provide comfortable accommodation for patients, families and staff if required.
“It would be a specialty hotel that is wheelchair accessible and has doors that are wide enough for wheelchairs,” said Ramstad. Locations that such an enterprise focuses on are all adjacent to the hospital, so the two facilities can be linked by a tunnel or skyway.
The hotel would be open to all members of the public, not just those who use the medical facilities.
Ramstad wants to work with Carri’s health on the hotel proposal and held preliminary talks with the CEO Mike Schramm. These discussions are now continuing with the blessings of the committee.
If Carris Health decides not to be part of the idea, Ramstad said the city can always change direction.
The hotel development would be a private company, the city only offers that Incentives for the Renaissance Zonesuch as B. Free building permits and utility connections.
“I like creating the fertile ground to involve the developers,” said Ramstad.
While there is no set schedule for the project, the staff would like it to be completed before the five-year pilot program for the Renaissance Zone expires.
“This is on the first floor,” said Ramstad.
