Plan Revealed for South Longview Conference Center/Hotel

LONGVIEW — City Council members got a first look this past week at plans for a proposed conference center/hotel in South Longview, which as proposed would cost taxpayers more than $5 million. That’s according to KETK and the Longview News-Journal. While the council had plenty of questions for Kevin Hilchey, president and COO of Longview-based Lodging Host Hotel Corp., no decision for the next step of the building was made. “This is the facility that we have determined can be built on this site. It would have 25,500 square feet of conference space, 10 break out spaces — three more than the city asked for — and meal service up to 1,000 people,” Hilchey said.

The edifice, which would sit just west of the intersection of U.S. 259 and South Estes Parkway south of Interstate 20, would include a full-service Courtyard Marriott hotel with about 135 to 150 rooms. Hilchey said the proposed price of about $5.5 million — plus costs for land and necessary road improvements next to the center — could change if the city chooses to add additional features. “This will be the only full-service hotel in the market. It has a restaurant and bar facility and is able to service the hotel client with room service and also service the conference center,” Hilchey said.

Mayor Jay Dean said while there is interest in the development, one large question facing the City Council is how to fund the project. Dean gave city staff about a 30-day time frame to look at financing options to present to the council for the city’s cost of about $5.5 million and additional $500,000 or more for road work.