Follow Up: Two Hotel Complex By Menard’s In Limbo

WAITE PARK -- We continue our follow up news series called "Whatever Happened With That" Thursday, with a look at whatever happened to the plans to build a two hotel complex next to Menards in Waite Park.

Back in 2015 city officials in Waite Park gave the green light for Miller Architects to build a 90-room Staybridge Suites extended-stay hotel and a 120-room Holiday Inn, including a restaurant and bar, on a vacant lot next to Menards along Highway 23.

However, drive by today and the proposed site remains an open field. Waite Park Planning and Community Development Director Jon Noerenberg says they are unsure if the project is still moving forward.

"For right now I'm not sure if that project is going ahead or not. We are certainly willing to help out any way we can to look at potential updates. But right now I have not heard a lot on the hotels that were being considered."

Noerenberg says the city remains in contact with the developer, but no movement has been made on the project.

He says they are still hopeful the project will happen as the hotels would be a real asset to the city.

"It's my understanding there is still a demand for the hotel rooms for larger events. If it's something a developer is interested in we are certainly happy to process that request."

Another two-hotel and convention center is currently being built on Tri-County Mobile home park site and is expected to be completed by late spring or early summer.