Hotel feasibility discussed at council meeting

WAUPACA – The city authorized a hotel feasibility study at the Aug. 18 meeting; this study would determine if the lodging needs are being met within the city.
Justin Berrens, the interim city administrator and director of the department of public works, said the study will evaluate the hotel and motel inventory within the city, also looking into events, local attractions and anything that is driven by tourism to ensure there is enough lodging.
The report will cost $15,000, with half of that cost covered through a grant from Waupaca County Economic Development Corporation (WCEDC), the $7,500 remaining would be pulled from the professional services fund.
Berrens said the study could take anywhere from three to six months to complete and that the study will gather all data including size, room count and price point recommendations for a future build.
“Obviously having more development would be great; having the ability to house more people coming to bigger events is also a benefit and then the room-tax dollars would also be an improvement to the city,” Berrens said. “This has been something that’s been discussed, reviewed, and it just never got across the goal line.”

This information becomes useful for builders and could help spur development, especially if the report comes back as needing additional hotel or motel rooms in the Waupaca area.
Alderperson Dmitri Martin questioned what the city is doing with the information that will be provided in this study.
Berrens said a corporate hotel is not going to break ground without having this kind of background information, as it attracts those who could possibly develop and build lodging.
He described the study as a carrot, with all applicable information included within the study a guide for any future development.
The study will be completed by Core Distinction and will include marketing pieces that the city can use to share with potential investment groups.
The vote to complete a feasibility study passed unanimously.