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Former Ramada being converted to Comfort Inn
By SHARON L. BOND
Published January 15, 2006
ST. PETERSBURG - Work is under way to turn the long vacant, former Ramada Inn at Interstate 275 and 54th Avenue N into a Comfort Inn with more than 100 rooms.
Developer Alpesh N. Khushal, who is from Orlando, said he is spending $2.5-million to $3-million to reopen the hotel. The exact number of rooms is not yet decided, though it will be more than 100 and include suites, he said.
The rooms have been taken back to shells; everything in the hotel will be new, he said, including two elevators.
The five-story building opened in the 1970s, but was vacant by the early 1990s after being Ramada, Matador, Save and Quality inns. The last plan to revive it was in 2001 when an out-of-state company planned to turn it into an assisted living facility. Construction stopped after a dispute over the work when the building was almost complete. It has remained vacant since.
Over the years, neighbors complained about the building that became a home for vagrants at times. In 2001, a new hotel and Cracker Barrel were under construction, improving nearby property.
Khushal said he hopes to have the Comfort Inn open by the end of the first quarter or early in the second quarter of the year.
Ice cream shop to debut in Shoppes at Park Place
PINELLAS PARK - Stores continue to open at the Shoppes at Park Place as the new mall moves toward completion. On Saturday, Cold Stone Creamery debuts.
The ice cream shop makes custom cones and dishes by combining a base ice cream and chosen toppings. Preparers whip the ingredients together while customers watch. Creating the various concoctions is performance art at Cold Stone.
Shoppes at Park Place eventually will have 50 stores and restaurants. Several, such as Target, American Signature Furniture and Starbucks already are open. Others, such as Michael's, the arts and craft shop, will open in the next few months.
Information from Times files was used in this report.
[Last modified January 15, 2006, 01:47:20]
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