Hennepin County has hired the local firm Nelson, Tietz & Hoye to study whether a large hotel -- up to 1,000 rooms -- is feasible near the Minneapolis Convention Center.

The 2.6-acre site being eyed for a new hotel is now home to the Century Plaza office building at 330 S. 12th St., just across the street from the convention center, said Russ Nelson, principal and president of Nelson, Tietz & Hoye.

The Minneapolis firm conducted a similar study in 2007.

The idea of building a large hotel close to the convention center has been floating about for at least eight years. The thinking is that such a facility would help attract big conventions to Minneapolis. One study in 2004 recommended more than 1,800 rooms -- a project that, at the time, was projected to cost about $300 million.