Gene Bane, a Stafford official, tells GlobeSt.com that the hotel building permit has been delayed pending resubmission, with additional information, from architect D.R. Associates of Houston. The convention center, on the other hand, is poised to break ground in mid-July and deliver in November 2003. The neighboring projects certainly will feed off each other's business although they are not connected business-wise.

The Scottish Inn will be going up along Greenbough Drive near its intersection with FM 1092. Danny Shah of Houston-based D.R. Associates represented Mahavir Host in the land purchase. James H. Glanville of Colliers International's Houston office handled talks for seller, Fenton Ltd. Neither Shah nor Glanville could be reached for comment on the project.

The Scottish Inn is one of five brands owned by Georgia-based Hospitality International Inc., which has company owned hotels and franchises in 33 states, Canada and the Bahamas. In addition to Scottish Inn, Hospitality International's brands are Red Carpet Inns, Master Hosts Inns and Resorts, Downtowner Inns and Passport Inns.

All across Texas, convention centers are rising or being expanded to corner the big dollars available from the trade show circuit. Stafford is situated about 18 miles from Houston's city center. The city's Economic Development Corp. will own and develop the Stafford Centre convention project using sales tax revenue bonds to foot the bill.

M. Arthur Gensler Jr. & Associates is the project architect for the 50,000-sf facility. It includes 20,000 sf of ballroom space, 5,000 sf of meeting space and an 1,100-seat performing arts theater.

Instant Insights /

Stafford Hotel Developer Dovetails Convention Center Project

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