WILKES-BARRE TWP. — Plans are moving forward to build another hotel near Mohegan Sun Arena.
Land development plans will be discussed at a Wilkes-Barre Twp. Planning Commission meeting scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Monday for a four-story, 110-room Residence Inn, according to Wilkes-Barre Twp. Zoning Officer Tom Zedolik.
Singh Realty owns the 10-acre property on Highland Park Boulevard and the hotel will occupy about a third of the land, Zedolik said. Construction could start in the fall, he said.
Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate, which represents Singh Realty, is trying to sell two adjacent parcels.
John Cognetti, president of Hinerfeld Commercial Real Estate, said a number of parties have expressed an interest in the other two parcels.
He said once the hotel is built, that will show what will be the best fit for the property. The hotel is likely to attract other developments that will “enhance one another,” he said.
In all, there are 43 hotels in Luzerne County, according to Visit Luzerne County.
Hotel rooms throughout the area were booked this weekend with the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention at the arena bringing in thousands of visitors again. The Jehovah’s Witnesses will return to the arena the weekend of Aug. 16 for another convention.
Zedolik said developers continue to build hotels in the area because there is a demand for them.
Ted Wampole, executive director of Visit Luzerne County, said occupancy is high at area hotels and developers do their “due diligence” in determining which markets where they will build and they agree there is demand.
In addition to local events that attract people, Zedolik and Wampole said travelers get off Interstate 81 to stay in the area’s hotels and dine in the many restaurants.
“That location gives them easy on and easy off and there are a lot of hotels in the areas as well as restaurants, shopping and events at the arena and casino,” Wampole said. “It’s a good central location for just about anything. You could go north to a RailRiders game. It’s by the turnpike. It’s easy to get to natural areas.”
Soon, more restaurants will open in Wilkes-Barre Twp.
Chick-fil-A is expected to open in September in the former Lucky’s Sporthouse, Zedolik said.
Construction of a new Panera Bread is expected to start “in the near future” in the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Commons, he said. The new stand-alone Panera Bread with a drive-thru will be constructed more than a year after the former restaurant was destroyed in a tornado last year.
Work has begun to construct Mission BBQ restaurant in a site that formerly was the Latona Law building on Mundy Street and Zedolik expects it will open early next year.
Land development plans also will be discussed at the Wilkes-Barre Twp. Planning Commission meeting Monday for a new Burger King proposed in the site of the former Country Ski & Sports building at 1080 Wilkes-Barre Twp. Blvd.
Burger King also has proposed to demolish four properties behind the former ski shop to build the new fast food restaurant.
Wilkes-Barre Twp. Planning Commission previously approved a subdivision plan for a Turkey Hill convenience store and car wash at the opposite side of the intersection.
Turkey Hill’s parent company, the EG Group, purchased the Bones Bar property, the former Bones Gas Station and four residential homes and plans to demolish the properties for the development, which is part of a plan to redo the intersection at Route 309 and Blackman Street.
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