Econo Lodge owner to present property plans to residents

For residents curious or concerned about proposed changes to the Oxmoor Road Econo Lodge, owner Sam Patel will be presenting his plans to the public Tuesday night.

The meeting will be at the Homewood Senior Center, 816 Oak Grove Road, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. It will start with a presentation from Patel, followed by questions from the audience or pre-submitted questions on notecards. It was organized by West Homewood residents and publicized through Facebook and 500 flyers distributed on residential streets around Patriot Park.

Patel submitted a proposal to the Homewood City Council in late April. He wants to demolish part of the current Econo Lodge building and replace it with extra parking and a four-story, 124-room extended stay hotel called Woodsprings Suites Signature. The 75 rooms in the remaining portion of the Econo Lodge would be renovated.

The property plans also include an L-shaped, mixed-use retail building that would sit at the intersection of Oxmoor Road and a brand new roadway that would connect Oxmoor to Cobb Street. The building could hold five to 10 businesses. 

Patel presented this plan to West Homewood Development Committee on May 4. He was asked to bring back a plan with more specific dimensions of the buildings and plans for the new street to make sure they are compliant with the West Homewood Redevelopment Plan.

Local residents have expressed concerns about how the new hotel would fit aesthetically into the neighborhood, as well as the clientele it would attract. The public meeting gives an opportunity to express these worries. There will also be a public hearing by the city council before variances and approvals are given to the Econo Lodge project.