The developer of the new Homewood Suites Hotel by Hilton at Charles Pointe is no stranger to the area. And because of his company’s familiarity to Bridgeport – and a positive feasibility study – spring of 2014 will see the start of a $16 million hotel being built at the massive development off of Interstate 79.

 

“Our company operates a Sleep Inn there and the area has been positive for us,” said Dr. John Miller, the CEO of Centurion Companies out of Morgantown that will be developing the project. “Because of that, we looked at the area to see if there was more opportunity and opted to do a feasibility study.”

 

The study showed the appropriate location for an extended stay hotel in the Charles Pointe area near the existing Fairmont Federal Credit Union building. Miller said it will be a “very upscale” project.

 

If Miller’s words don’t convince you, perhaps the $16 million price tag with it will. And that price tag does more than benefit the travelers who will be staying at the new hotel. The price tag also benefits the City of Bridgeport’s tax coffers.

 

According to Cheryl Mehaulic, who works in the City of Bridgeport’s finance department, the business and occupation tax off of a $16 million project is $320,000. Those one-time funds have historically been used to fund one-time capital projects or improvements.

 

Unlike many of the existing hotels in the area, this one will cater primarily to the extended stay person.

“Most of our guests are those individuals who are working in the area. We will have some transient guests that will stay, but you’re looking at individuals who are staying as part of a consulting job, on temporary assignment or in transition from one job to another,” Miller said. “The average stay at one of these hotels is 18 nights.”

 

The project is the third massive project announced in recent months that are set to begin in 2014. Next month, bids will be taken for a 55,000-square-feet addition to the still relatively new United Hospital Center right off of Jerry Dove Drive. The building, estimated to go up to $15 million, will be a new musculoskeletal facility, which will encompass orthopedic, spine and outpatient rehabilitation services. It will be situated on the large swath of land to the left of the main entrance to the hospital.

 

Another project will take place at White Oaks, and will be even more substantial in terms of dollars. Dominion is relocating its local operations from Clarksburg to White Oaks. The cost of the move to a new structure will be in the $30 million range.

 

“For us, the location was helpful for a number of reasons, but what’s really important is the location of the hospital and all the industry in the area,” said Miller. “Continued expansion in that area on the business front is what makes a hotel like we’re doing be a successful venture.”

 

Click HERE to read details about the hotel.

 

Editor's Note: Rendering courtesy of Dr. John Miller.