Country Inn & Suites Coming to Marion!

Marion, Ill. (Feb. 18,2008) - Crews from Zeller Construction demolished the back wing of America's Best Inns this morning to make way for a new 66-room Country Inn & Suites hotel set to open later this fall.  "We hope to pour the footings the week after next. I want to be open no later than the middle of October," said Jim Zeller, owner of the construction company and the new hotel along with his wife Kellie.

Zeller purchased the property located along Halfway Road and immediately south of 17th Street Bar & Grill last fall from the owners of America's Best Inns Motel.  The location will allow motorists easy access from the new interstate interchange now under construction north of Route 13.

The New Marion project will be Zeller's second entry into the hospitality industry.  He built the 59-room Fairgrounds Inn in Du Quoin next to the State fairgrounds the opened in June 2006.

I'm excited about this thing. I'm ready to go," he added.

The New Country Inn & Suites will include a pool, hot tub, continental breakfast, a small conference room as well as an exercise room.

Corporate Officials with the chain approved Zeller's franchise application today.  Zeller's plans also include a second phase of 40 or more rooms to be built later in 2009 if needed.  DART Design of Marion is the architectural firm handling the design.  Zeller Construction will oversee the building phase.

With its location in Marion's original tax increment financing district the $5 Million project is eligible for some TIF incentives from the City.  An application for a redevelopment agreement with the city has been filed.