Developers look to build hotels near I-69, airport

By Rosa Salter Rodriguez | The Journal Gazette

While downtown Fort Wayne awaits two proposed hotels, the suburbs also have two new contenders, according to documents filed with the Allen County Plan Commission.

Fort Wayne Hospitality Trust of Madison Heights, Michigan, has asked to build a  five-story hotel in the 5900 and 6000 blocks of Ellison Road in Aboite Township.

The location for the proposed Hyatt Place Hotel is near the U.S. 24/Jefferson Boulevard exit for Interstate 69, close to Rural King and other hotels.  

Meanwhile, a rezoning is sought for two lots by Brookwood Airport Park in Pleasant Township east of Fort Wayne International Airport to allow for “future hotel use,” documents state.

That address is the 10500 block of Majic Port Lane near Ferguson and Bluffton roads. 

Documents for the hotel near the airport do not provide information about who might own or operate it.

However, the documents state that an owner has been approached by a hotel developer. The site is described as “shovel-ready” with “a great location by the airport on a major highway, and market studies by the developer have shown a need for this in the area.” 

Sought is a rezoning from limited industrial to general industrial for about 7.3 acres. Developers believe the hotel will not have an adverse impact on the character of the area, the application states.

The Hyatt proposal is for a five-story hotel with 115 units in a 77,150-square-foot footprint. Sought is rezoning from limited commercial and agricultural to general commercial.

The proposals will have a public hearing at 1 p.m. June 14 in Room 35 of Citizens Square. 

Downtown is awaiting a new Hampton Inn & Suites across from Grand Wayne Center on West Jefferson Boulevard and a boutique-style hotel at Harrison and Main streets.

That hotel is planned by Oregon-based Provenance Hotels in partnership with Vera Bradley co-founder Barbara Bradley Baekgaard.