April 08–Kokomo is one step closer to a having a downtown hotel added to its skyline.

Following recent market research and a demand for services, the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau announced Wednesday has commissioned a site analysis on a downtown property as a potential site for a select-service hotel and conference center.

The proposed location, which is on Superior Street bordered by Main Street, Union Street, and the Wildcat Creek, will be assessed by Kokomo-based architecture firm Dimensions, Inc. to determine its suitability for the project.

A 2013 Kokomo Conference, Event Center, and Hotel feasibility study conducted by real estate advisory firm Hunden Strategic Partners concluded the local economy could support a hotel facility with an on-site conference center. Study research found that no competing facility existed within 35 miles and, as a result, Kokomo and Howard County could benefit significantly from the addition of a hotel and conference center.

“This planned site analysis is the logical next step in developing the future of Kokomo and Howard County’s hospitality and travel industry,” Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance President Charlie Sparks said in a press release. “Many events and conferences desire locations where the meeting facilities and hotel accommodations are both on-site, and because we don’t currently have that type of facility we lose these events to other communities. The addition of a hotel and conference center in Kokomo would provide a significant economic impact through increased activity from hotel stays, visitor expenditures, and visits to area attractions and businesses. At this stage, we’re just doing our due diligence to determine this site’s feasibility and the potential economic impact of development at this location.”

The development and implementation of a hotel and conference center is a strategic priority identified in the Programs of Work of both the Alliance and the Visitors Bureau. The hotel and conference center site analysis is expected to be conducted this spring, with results and outlook concluded by the end of the second quarter of 2015.

Josh Sigler can be reached at 765-454-8580, by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @JSig_KT.