The developers of the new Hilton Hotel and Conference Center were at Milledgeville City Hall earlier this week, explaining their plans to members of the Planning & Zoning Commission.
If all goes accordingly, a groundbreaking would be held this summer, most likely in August, with construction expected to last 22 months.
The amenities are numerous, including a fifthfloor bar and grill with an open-air view of downtown. Also, the “Thompson House” at 141 N. Jefferson St. is slated to be converted into a restaurant and connected to the main facility by a backdoor and a breezeway.
Developers have finalized a deal with Hilton and are moving forward with “The Graduate by Hilton” hotel concept. On its website, Hilton describes its Graduate hotels as “always original and never boring.” Added the website: “Inspired by the dynamic and unique college towns that we call home, Graduate by Hilton is a collection of welcoming, one-of-a-kind experiences rich with local history, charm, and pop culture nostalgia.”
There are currently roughly three dozen Graduate by Hilton hotels, mostly in smaller college towns, somewhat similar to Milledgeville.
Parts of the fifth floor, as well as the hotel’s HVAC infrastructure, would be greater than 50 feet tall, which is the maximum height for buildings in the Historic District. The developers will now ask the Historic Preservation Commission for a “height variance,” similar to what Georgia Military College did prior to the construction of its NewDay USA Center for Leadership, the school’s new performing arts center.
Down the hill, the old Duckworth Farm Supply building will be transformed into a conference center and event space. Duckworth’s silo also will be reimagined and preserved.
“The largest place in Milledgeville right now to hold any type of meeting is the Magnolia Ballroom (the old Methodist church) at 185 people,” said Gus Pursley, one of the project’s developers. “We will be able to accomodate about 350...and be able to seat roughly 500 in a theaterrow- type seating.”
Pursley added that he purchased the Duckworth Farm Supply property about two-and-a-half years ago. Not long after, Visit Milledgeville Executive Director Rebekah Snider approached Pursley and “said ‘put your brakes on, we want to talk about a hotel.’” Pursley added that Georgia College & State University President Cathy Cox was a key player in the early planning stages, too.
Mike Couch, another one of the developers, said the response from the community has been “incredibly positive, unlike anything I’ve worked on.” Any negativity from the community likely will center around traffic and an increase in traffic on Elbert Street. The developers soon will put together a traffic study, which was requested by the Milledgeville City Council.
The new hotel will have a total of 120 rooms. In terms of pricing, that’s to be determined, although Couch said “depending on the time of year... probably in the 210 (dollar per night) to the 230 (dollar per night) range.”