By SCNOW STAFF
Published: July 11, 2011
Following a three-hour long executive session Monday, the Florence City Council approved a resolution that got the ball rolling on the proposed, downtown Florence hotel project.
The council’s unanimous vote approves the “concept of an incentive program for the development of a boutique hotel and restaurant.”
In a letter to Florence County officials last month, the council said it would be using city money to help purchase the property where the proposed development wiill go on West Evans Street, near the intersection of Dargan Street.
The city wants the county to create a “multi-county industrial park” at the site so that certain tax incentives can be awarded to the business.
City models show the incentives will equal about $500,000.
The project, the brainchild of five Florence entrepreneurs, would bring a 53-room hotel and an accompanying 180-seat restaurant to the old downtown area.
The estimated $5.6 million project is the first major private investment project in the downtown area, which many city leaders hope to renovate and revitalize.
The process of gaining government approval for the project will last well into the fall, said Florence Mayor Stephen Wukela.