ZEPHYRHILLS - Workers broke ground this week on a new Microtel Inn, to be built on U.S. 301 between the Wal-Mart Supercenter and a planned Lowe's home improvement store.
It's the city's second new chain hotel this year. A Quality Inn Suites opened recently about two miles south on U.S. 301.
According to city documents, the Microtel will be three stories, with 63 rooms and a swimming pool. The lot is just more than an acre.
Local developer James Bingham owns the property. County records show he bought it in 2001 for $405,000. Bingham could not be reached Thursday.
City planner Todd Vande Berg said the hotel is part of the development boom at the north end of the city.
"It's obviously the heavy concentration where we're seeing most of the development, between Zephyrhills and Dade City," he said.
But Dade City has yet to realize much change along its borders. A company that markets to national hotel chains, including Microtel, had been considering Dade City. But so far, nobody's biting.
Dade City Manager Harold Sample said this will not affect ongoing efforts to land a franchise hotel or motel.
"It's eight miles away. When the numbers are here, I'm sure they'll look at us. It's all demographics," he said.
It's also timing.
Zephyrhills, which saw its property tax balloon by almost $50-million this year, is riding a powerful wave. The development seems to be feeding off itself.
"We're in that position now that we're not having to lure folks," Vande Berg said. "They're coming to us. I guess it's the time for Zephyrhills now."
- Staff writer Chase Squires contributed to this report.
