I wanted to add my voice to those who support the possible Hampton Inn. The closing of Harbourtowne Resort left us with far fewer options for guests. The review process is allowing the opportunity for community input on design and other questions it seems. I’ve personally been in a number of historic quarters in the US that include Hampton Inns, and they more or less fit with the existing design elements
As a resident I would appreciate having a well designed, well vetted Hampton Inn in town.
And I seriously do not understand how a well-run Hampton Inn is going to be more of a threat to our students than the current structures that occupy that space.
Bill Aiken
St Michaels
Kathy Adams says
I agree with Bill. I have been a permanent resident here for the past seven years. St. Michaels has many weddings and festivals throughout the year. There are very few places in town that can accommodate a lot of people. Why not make it a little easier for tourists, wedding guests, visitors, etc. to stay in town, plus more parking will be available. Thousands of people are going to visit St. Michaels each year with or without this hotel, so why not help accommodate at least some of them with a new hotel.
Francine De Sanctis says
And what about the strain an additional 50 rooms will put on the sewer and drainage problems? As it is, whenever a rainfall occurs, the streets flood and traveling becomes difficult. Have comprehensive infrastructure impact studies been performed and scrutinized?
I appreciate the financial benefits this hotel will bring, but at what cost?
Charles Barranco says
Mr Adkin,
Did you know Harbortown will reopen and provide more sleeping quarters?
The Oaks, recently purchased by Mr Wagner will help fill the need for large events and more sleeping quarters!
As to how a new hotel will effect an already overburdened intersection at Talbot and Seymour, I would encourage you to take a stroll any school morning at 7:15 – 8:00 or 2:15 -3:15. You may also want to walk along Riverview Terrace to appreciate the number and speed of the many cars and trucks on their way to and from school.
You may also want to study the additional burden of sewage on the treatment plant on Calvert street.
Your letter did not address any of these facts.
May I suggest a little research on your part.
Steve Shimko says
I’m not a fan of the hotel, but a little research would show that the wastewater treatment plant in St. Michaels (the Region II WWTP), which is an ENR level plant, has more than enough capacity to handle the proposed hotel. So a better argument than this is needed to halt the hotel project.
Andrea Roberson says
The Harbortowne Resort has been purchased and currently in the process of being remodeled. With these additional rooms, there will be no need for another hotel.
We live across the street from the current gas station and proposed hotel. A few weeks ago, a pedestrian was walking across the crosswalk in front of Higgins & Spencer and nearly hit by a car, which in turn almost led to a 4-car pileup. Traffic on Talbot St is already congested. Many days we have to wait several minutes for traffic to pull out of our driveway. Adding a 73-room hotel with 73 to nearly 300 people and cars will only add to the congestion, noise and safety concerns. If this budget hotel is added, we are concerned for the safety of our homes and the safety of our children. The local community pool and daycare face the proposed hotel and the elementary, middle and high schools are behind. This is not the proper location for a large hotel. Accidents and crime can happen anywhere, but adding this large hotel is only inviting a problem. The Maryland Department of Education has recently been made aware of this hotel and will be addressing the town.
Mr. Patel, who owns the St. Michaels Inn and the one wanting to purchase this property for a Hampton Inn, mentioned his weekly capacity at the St. Michaels Inn is only 30-35%. When asked about staffing since so many businesses in St. Michaels have problems staffing, he mentioned he would bring about 20 staff members in from out of town and house them at the St. Michaels Inn. If that many vacant rooms are currently available at the St. Michaels Inn, why would another hotel be needed? When asked about overflow parking, he said he would park them at the St. Michaels Inn and shuttle them over. We all know guests will find the first available spot, which could be the neighboring businesses, Talbot Street, nature trail parking lot or school parking lot. With all of these statistics, another hotel does not seem to be needed in town.
Each morning while walking the nature trail, I am saddened to think of this large structure replacing our beloved trees, invading the nature trail that took so long to build and the destroying the homes of the wildlife. If Mr. Patel is insistent on building a hotel, please choose a different location.