Plans for a proposed hotel in Tyrone, close to the exits of Interstate 99, are proceeding according to Tyrone Mayor Pat Stoner.
One hotel developer has already hired a facilitator to make contact with property owners, while another potential developer was in town today.
“This is a complicated and sometimes long process, that I’ve been working on for five years,” said Stoner. “I feel more confident at the moment that any time in the last five years.”
Tyrone Borough will play no part in facilitating property or meeting with property owners.
Both hotel developers have expressed interest in placing a hotel here, and are back due to the plans laid out for the completion of the interstate.
“Interest grew in Tyrone as a site when developers actually came to town and watched the flow of traffic on and off the interstate,” said Stoner. And they were impressed with the close proximity to the interstate. One of them even said you can reach out and almost touch it. Until they actually visited, they didn’t realize how close we are to the interstate.”
An industry survey conducted by the mayor’s office received an almost unanimous positive response from area manufacturers. Thirty-two surveys were sent asking questions about the need and uses of a hotel. Responses indicated that a hotel would work and that industries would be in supportive of it.
Twenty-nine of those surveyed said yes, one said no and two said it was not applicable. Survey results also indicated the need for meeting or conference rooms, easy access to the interstate, clean and comfortable rooms and one indicated even having a restaurant on site. The survey was sent to industries from the industrial park in Tipton to the Bald Eagle area.
The proposed hotel will be a multi-level building up to four floors.
“I’ve been disappointed in the past. But this time I feel confident. It would be a great economic boost for Tyrone and fill a need. The Chamber of Commerce and Grier School has expressed lodging needs as well.
Also there is property that is not being taken care of properly and this might clean up a blighted area,” Stoner told The Daily Herald this morning.
Further survey results indicated that area industries use hotels in both State College and Altoona at present, and that a local hotel would make it easier to bring people in and out of their facilities.
