A new Marriott Courtyard was announced at City Council today (10/20/20) by Hamilton Real Estate Group CEO Mac Hamilton.  The hotel will take up half of the 200 block of North Cedar and wrap around Pearl Street.  Plans also include a new restaurant in the former Jerry's location and a spot for Old Town Bagels in or near their current location.  Construction could start as soon as summer of 2021 and is targeted for a June 2022 open date. 

"This is a big announcement in the redevelopment of downtown Owatonna adding a major amenity, a high end hotel and restaurant." Said Troy Klecker, Community Development Director for the City of Owatonna.  "This property will attract additional visitors and business travel to our community."

Hamilton has secured the multiple properties required to complete the project and is in the process of finalizing a purchase agreement with the City of Owatonna on the former theater lot.  The project includes parking on the east side of the properties and modifications to the street and parking to maximize the visitors experience.  

At the council meeting, Hamilton praised the work of city leaders, especially Greg Kruschke and Troy Klecker in the Community Development department.  Hamilton has completed three other projects in Owatonna including South Pointe I and II apartments and 111 E Vine apartments in downtown.  

The hotel project has been a vision for downtown for many years starting with retired Federated employee Steve Judd who has long had a vision for the 200 block of N. Cedar.  

The project is still accepting local investors to the project.  Hamilton says he'd like to raise $1.8M from local investors to make it a true community project.  With that said, Hamilton has the funds needed to proceed with the project.