Investors, government leaders and contractors turn the earth at the intersection of Route 33 and Lincoln Boulevard to celebrate the construction of a 54-room Cobblestone Hotel in Russells Point. Plans are to see it open within the next year. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
It’s a full-circle moment, when you think about it. After all, Indian Lake was once surrounded by hotels filled with tourists. Now they’re moving in that direction again. And Russells Point has taken a big step toward that goal by starting construction on a 54-room hotel.
Monday, Nov. 6, investors, contractors and government leaders gathered at the southeast corner of the intersection at Route 33 and Lincoln Boulevard in Russells Point for a groundbreaking ceremony. But, in fact, all approvals and permits have been received and construction on the new Cobblestone Hotel has already begun.
Mike Major, president of the Indian Lake Hotel Investment Group, saw the success of a similar hotel in Urbana.
“We’re fortunate to have stumbled across Cobblestone,” Major said. “We want a franchise that does good within smaller communities.”
According to Mayor Robin Reames, this is the largest economic development since the amusement park was built at the turn of the last century.
“This is a big you-know-what’n deal,” Reames said.
It’s also the start of a new business development between Russells Point and the nature preserve.
The project will not only bring jobs to the area but give them leverage for other opportunities. And Major sees it making a difference in year-round tourism.
Ben Vollrath, Logan County Chamber of Commerce president/CEO, was on hand Monday as well.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. “We need everybody to jump in. Nobody goes to Sidney, nobody goes to Wapak. Everyone comes here.”
Cobblestone Hotels have been growing strong since they started 15 years ago. According to Cobblestone owner Jeremy Griesbach, they now have 172 open or under construction hotels in 29 states.
BriMark Builders, a division of Cobblestone, will oversee construction of the $8.4 million project using local sub-contractors.
State representatives Susan Manchester and Jon Cross attended the groundbreaking. “For this to work, we all need to rent rooms and keep this hotel full,” Cross told the crowd. “It will be a great complement to how much we love our summers over here.”
“This hotel will lift up the community,” Major concluded. “I think we’ll see good things happen.”
In closing, Kamille Becker, an investor who organized Monday’s groundbreaking ceremony, gave special recognition to Major, a local artist and sculptor, for his work on the project. “We want you to have the freedom to showcase your artwork in the hotel as you see fit,” she said.
Along with single and double-bed rooms, the hotel will include long-term stay suites, ADA compliant rooms, a conference/event space, an indoor pool, a bar and an outdoor patio.
They hope to have it completed in 2024, possibly even in time for the summer season.