Jan. 27, 2013--HAVERHILL -- A worldwide chain plans to build a 60-unit hotel on Amesbury Road near Northern Essex Community College.

Michael Migliori, an attorney for local developer King Weinstein, said the plan is to begin construction on the $4.5 million "boutique" hotel early this summer and open it in the fall.

The 3.6-acre property is just off Interstate 495's exit 52, in the northern part of the city.

The Lexington by Vantage company plans the project. Lexington by Vantage operates upscale inns and hotels in key cities around the world and are part of Vantage Hospitality Group, the eighth largest hotel company in the world, according to the company's Web site.

Other Lexington hotels are in places such as Key West, California, Canada and China. There are three in New York, but this would be the first one in New England.

Mayor James Fiorentini said a key part of the project is that the developer will pay for Haverhill to bring the city sewer line about a half-mile up Amesbury Road (Route 110) to the hotel. Sewer service is something residents and businesses in that part of the city have wanted for a long time, he said.

"In addition to real estate tax revenue and revenue from our local hotel tax, the infrastructure improvements that are coming with this will bring jobs and economic activity to that part of the city," the mayor said. "The extension of the sewer line means businesses and eventually residents will be able to hook up to it. This will allow existing business to stay and expand."

Fiorentini said he has been aware of Lexington's interest in the city for about a year.

"They told us the college is the big draw, as well as the site's proximity to the highway," Fiorentini said, referring to the community college and I-495. "This is another example that people are interested in coming to Haverhill."

The project needs a special permit from the City Council before it can go forward. The council is expected to schedule a public hearing on the plan at Tuesday's meeting. The hearing is tentatively scheduled for Feb. 26 at City Hall.

The property is owned by PAM Realty Trust and includes room for 78 parking spaces, according to plans on file at City Hall. Weinstein is developing the project under the name Miami Stuart Realty, LLC.

The hotel would be the third in the city, joining the 126-room Hampton Inn on Bank Road and the 110-room Best Western on Lowell Avenue.

"This will be the first hotel to come to Haverhill in about 40 years," the mayor said.

___

(c)2013 The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.)

Visit The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover, Mass.) at www.eagletribune.com

Distributed by MCT Information Services