This is the Drury Plaza, that was voted on and passed unanimously at the 27 July Council Meeting. As you can see it is situated on the Northwest corner of Road to Six Flags and Center St. across from Calloway's Nursery. This is another integral piece of the North Arlington puzzle that will greatly benefit our community. First let me explain the project and then I will explain why the benefit.
The hotel is a 9 story structure with 268 rooms. There will be an additional building to the west and then a restaurant located on Road to Six Flags and an art sculpture on the corner. As a pilot stationed in St. Louis for 18 years, I was a professional hotel dweller. St. Louis is the corporate home of the Drury family and I was very skeptical of this product, for the last year. I was a NO vote on this project. But I got on an airplane and went to St. Louis unannounced, and simply walked into the Drury Plaza in Chesterfield. This Plaza was 10 years old, and I wanted to see what it looked like after 10 years of operation. I was thoroughly impressed with every appointment and aspect of this hotel. The lobby, rooms, personnel, and facilities were all extremely nice. The quality was on the same par, if not better, than the Hilton or Sheraton currently in Arlington.
The model of Drury is not to have a restaurant inside the hotel. This was problematic for me, I like food. But they put independent restaurants on the premises, that are also known for high quality. This Plaza had a streak house, located next to it. There is however, food in the hotel. A breakfast is complimentary. Ours will be complete with an omelet station. In the evening they offer another buffet known as a kick back. They will have nachos, hot dogs and taco stations for example and open the bar for complimentary beer, wine and mixed drinks. (three per tenant) This is all included in the price of the room. For those patrons that want a full meal, a restaurant will be located on the premises
The Drury team will also build an additional building to the west for retail and office use. It will be located next to LA Fitness and compliment the Plaza aspect of the structure. The Drury family will also install an object of Art, as depicted in the picture, located on the corner for all to appreciate. This art object will be approved by the city staff.
Now the benefit of this project to the community is obvious. The Calloway's property just got very expensive. Coy Garrett owns most of the property on the south side of Road to Six Flags and down Center street. This is perfect for development, or to flip to someone else, for development. The boarded up houses on the Southeast corner, now become highly desirable. I look for them to go away, and new development to start. Construction on this hotel will start by the end of the year. The Drury Family has been great to work with and they really want to be in North Arlington. I believe that the Drury Plaza hotel will be a tremendous asset to the community.
Oh goody goody gum drops Charlie, you're getting us a hotel with an omelet bar. Let's all stay so we can have drinks and an omelet. You're the best. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteI would like to answer a comment that was posted anonymously, but I know the writer because he has been against this particular project and voiced his opposition after the vote was over. Mr. Jennings is the Manager of the Hilton and has not taken the initiative to educate himself on this project. He seems only capable to cast stones instead of realizing that other hotels can be of the same quality or better than the one he operates. I am but a single vote on the Council, but I believe that this project is beneficial to our community. Mr. Jennings does not. Pity! It is important to realize that other hotels are coming to Arlington. Of the 14,000,000 visitors that came to Arlington last year, there is room for more capacity. Before you say a word in person to me Mr. Jennings, I strongly suggest that you educate your self on the Drury Plaza series of hotels and study the numbers. There is plenty of room for improvement at the Hilton.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to publish the above comment from an Anonymous poster so that you can all see the intellect that I have to deal with on a daily basis. I have absolutely no respect for an individual that writes a post such as this and doesn't even have to stones to put his name to it. I believe this to be Mr. Jennings from the Hilton. It is the type of rhetoric that he is well known for. Mr. Jennings what I have brought you with my vote is a 268 room hotel that is on par with the Hilton if not better. What I have brought you is another building that will fill out that side of the street, with office and commercial. What I have brought you is another dinning facility that will be a quality dining experience. What I have brought you is the opportunity to fill out the other side of the street with commercial and retail enterprises on both sides of Center. Do your homework, it will give you a better understand of what you are taking cheap shots at. I think that the Hilton can probably compete with the Drury Plaza if they can find new management. So you just concentrate on that omelet bar, there are so many selections that I'm certain it will entertain you for some time.
ReplyDeleteCharlie Parker you're my hero
ReplyDeleteCities aren't improved by people sitting on the sidelines. This hotel will benefit our city's fabric and make it a better place. I went the extra mile and put in the effort to see the product in work. That effort changed my mind from not supporting this project to a Yes vote. I think you will be pleased with the overall outcome of the area.
ReplyDeleteAs a resident in that area, I am happy to see this. I am also looking forward to the senior living facility on Gibbins and hope the trend of development in this area continues. Thank you for your service to the city.
ReplyDeleteLonnie you have always been a voice of reason for that area. What is exciting to me is going to be the development across the street. I'm looking forward in seeing what time will bring to us on the south side of Road to Six Flags. Just as a side note Lonnie, I was hacked on Facebook so I closed both accounts and will stay off for a while. Any posts on Facebook aren't mine.
ReplyDeleteWill there be specific amenities or features required of the restaurant they build such as open air patio or the like? Personally, I'll be disappointed if it's just another box style restaurant. It would be nice to have something with some character and a nice social atmosphere conducive to the entertainment district.
ReplyDeleteMr. Flanigan if the restaurants at the last 5 Drury Plaza hotels are any indication, the quality of the dining establishments will be of very high quality. The Drury family has been asked to provide an object of art or a sculpture to sit at the northwest corner of the intersection, next to the restaurant. We have asked that there be some patio aspect to the restaurant so that patrons can enjoy from the patio. Other restaurants at Drury Plaza's are Granite City, and Stony Brook Steak House. I have asked and they have assured me that there will be no Applebee's or Denny's. That is not their desire.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see more businesses coming to our city. What else is in store for us?
ReplyDeleteAs you probably know already Texas Live is coming to the new ballpark area with the Loews Live hotel associated with it. The new GM logistics center is going in at the old Six Flags mall. DR Horton headquarters is already here. What I didn't go over is Summit Racing down south with new UPS and FedEx distribution centers next to it. Viridian continues to prosper and Arlington Commons is on track with 101 Center shortly behind. The New Library is coming along nicely. New hotels are on the horizon. GM is in their expansion. Abram St. is on the move and several developments are under way downtown to make it vibrant and alive. Ditto golf course is under renovation along with Richard Simpson Park at Lake Arlington. Of course the Senior Center is on the horizon also. So things are happening in Arlington.
ReplyDeleteHas this project died? I thought dirt would have been moving by now but the lot looks as if it's still available for purchase.
ReplyDeleteNo sir it has not died. It is my understanding that the permits to move dirt have been applied for and received. We should be seeing progress soon.
ReplyDelete