Guntersville City Harbor will soon include a $15 million destination hotel, taking the overall harbor area investment to $30 million.
Lawler Hotels LLC, a subsidiary of P. Lawler Enterprises, has been awarded the hotel project at the harbor. P. Lawler Enterprises is already working on two related harbor projects, which includes shops and restaurants, a brew pub, short-term rental condos and an 8,500-square-foot event facility.
The hotel agreement allows the city to sell the land to the developer for $10.
Based on estimates, the city of Guntersville, Guntersville schools and local tourism organizations will receive more than $950,000 per year in direct harbor-related tax revenues once the hotel is complete. The terms of the agreement provide significant protection to the city, with the property reverting to city ownership if key dates and other deliverables are not met.
The Lawler-built hotel will include approximately 90 rooms. The developer has not yet finalized a hotel partner, but emphasized it will be an upscale property and a major brand that will enhance the draw of the unique location.
“Anyone who has visited Guntersville City Harbor restaurants or other facilities has seen the quality of the vision shared between Lawler Enterprises and the city of Guntersville,” said Patrick Lawler, company president. “The hotel will be a continuation of that vision and will be an economic engine for Guntersville for decades to come.”
The city of Guntersville did receive an alternative proposal for the hotel site; however it found a number of deficiencies with the alternate proposal, which made it unfeasible according to Rod Kantor, an attorney specializing in economic development work who is advising the city.
