City leaders say one of the biggest complaints they hear is that there aren’t many places to stay in Tarpon Springs. Most hotels are located along U.S. 19, away from the city’s downtown. Officials hope the new hotel will give visitors a convenient place to stay and encourage more downtown spending.
For the past 17 years, an empty lot in the heart of downtown has gone unused. That will soon change, with the city approving plans for a boutique hotel that will also include retail space. It will be located at 144 E. Tarpon Ave.
“It’s going to be right across the street, so we have the welcome mat out,” said Sara Rudd, manager at The Healing Hedge Witch, a nearby shop. “I think it’s excellent—it’s so good for the town. We need rooms right in town, and it will be walkable for people. It’s going to be a wonderful addition to our downtown district.”
The planned hotel will total about 10,000 square feet and could be two or three stories tall, featuring up to 24 rooms and 4,600 square feet of retail space.
“It’s a place for people to stay so they don’t have to be on 19, which has been somewhat of a complaint,” said City Commissioner Michael Eisner. He added that the entire city commission voted in favor of the project with no opposition. “We’re just going to iron out the small details and look forward to having it built probably in a year to two years.”
City Manager Charles Rudd, who has led the push to bring more investment into Tarpon Springs, said the hotel represents an important step for the community.
“It’s exciting for me, particularly with a $4 million investment in our downtown,” Rudd said. “Investment always attracts more investment, so I think it’s a great project.”
The final design for the hotel is still being developed, but officials say it will fit in with the look and character of downtown Tarpon Springs.
