ATHOL – Town Manager Shaun Suhoski informed the town’s Selectboard at its most recent meeting that Athol has been awarded $20,000 in technical assistance to help with planning for a site at North Quabbin Commons targeted for construction of a hotel and conference center. The money comes from the state Economic Development and Finance Agency, or MassDevelopment, for a parcel near Exit 18 off of Route 2 owned by the town’s Economic Development Industrial Corporation. The amount will be repaid to the state once the town sells the parcel to a developer, or by the developer itself.
“I’m pleased to thank our state legislators, and the Chamber of Commerce as well, for supporting this,” said Suhoski. “We’ll work with the EDIC next month to come up with a game plan for strategic use of the funding.”
Suhoski added that Athol’s application was one of only 10 approved by MassDevelopment, out of 60 received by the department.
Following the meeting, Suhoski explained further that, “What we applied for was technical assistance to further develop a site access plan. We’d like to get illustrated renderings to show us how a hotel would fit on the acreage we have.”
The town has been granted an easement to allow for construction of road into and out of the site. He said those involved with the project need to further assess the feasibility of the site access, noting the proposed road would be constructed through a wetland. Suhoski said he believes the narrowest portion of that wetland has been identified, and that that will be the location of the access road. Access to the remainder of the property will also be studied.
“MassDevelopment has both in-house and outside consultants who are experts in that,” he added.
Suhoski said several hotel chains have expressed interest in the site.
“I can tell you Best Western expressed interest a few years ago,” he said. “We’ve had discussions with an agent for Best Western. Choice Hotels has considered the site for a Comfort Inn; we’ve had talks with them. We’ve had two other potential investors express interest. There’s genuine interest, it’s just that it’s not New York City. The market isn’t evident.”
“But, locally, where are the rooms?” Suhoski asked. “There are no rooms. So, there’s an opportunity there.”
The town manager said the town’s parcel is just under 12 acres, of which “six or seven” acres are suitable for building.
While it’s hoped a hotel will locate on the site, Suhoski said offers from other developers certainly would be considered.
“The EDIC has the ownership of the land,” he said. “They’re appointed by the town manager and we work hand-in-hand. I think we’d be opening to considering something else if it came along. But early on (a hotel) was identified, conceptually, as a need for the region and that site we needed a site that might be attractive for bringing some quality lodging to the area.”
Suhoski observed there was no attractive lodging and event space available between Gardner and Greenfield.
“The Athol Elks Lodge was like the go-to place for events,” he noted. “You could fit 200, 250 people in two different rooms, but they’re closed now. We do have people renting Memorial Hall here at Town Hall, which is nice. But it’s not convenient for catering and can be a little disruptive. We’re happy to have people using it. It’s here to be used. Still, the area needs a better option.”