The Oakdale City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday to enter into a preliminary development agreement with Fairway Suites, a company that wants to put a hotel at the Oak Marsh Golf Course.
According to the agreement, Fairway Suites of Kansas City, Mo., will have a year to find a hotel operator who wants to build and run a lodging facility on the city-owned property at 526 Inwood Av.
The developer will have to show that the project would be financially feasible before the city will enter into a formal development agreement. The city would retain ownership of the land and lease it to the builder in the same way it leases the land to Oak Marsh Golf Course, said Bob Streetar, Oakdale's community director.
Representatives from two neighboring hotels expressed concern that a third hotel in the area would exacerbate an already high vacancy rate. Streetar said the agreement does not mean a hotel is imminent. "It's like an engagement. Either party can opt out for any reason," he said.
TIM HARLOW
