SALEM - A restaurant and banquet hall are planned to be built alongside the proposed Holiday Inn Express, according to investor Rod Herron.
The property is on Cunningham Road in Mahoning County and the stand-alone restaurant is a joint venture by Herron and an Akron restaurant owner, Herron said Wednesday, adding the banquet hall will be attached to the restaurant and seat "at least" 300.
It will have "all the bells and whistles and be one of the most modern around," he said.
It could seat as many as 400 and will be attached to the restaurant which will be built "five feet" to the west of the Holiday Inn Express.
In May, Herron, the owner of Go Steel Roofing in Salem, announced plans for a multi-million dollar Holiday Inn Express that he expected to create 25 jobs.
Herron said the restaurant and banquet hall will mean more jobs.
"We're looking at upwards of 30 jobs there," he said, adding, "we need a banquet hall."
After meeting with Mahoning Valley Economic Development Corporation representatives and city officials on Tuesday, Herron, an investor in the Holiday Inn Express along with the Pittsburgh-based Forza Group, said he was hopeful to obtain all the necessary permits in five weeks.
Larry Kosiba, the executive director for the Sustainable Opportunity Development Center, (SODC) said the Holiday Inn investors want to "fast track" the project and Herron was hopeful they could open the hotel in December.
He said construction on the projects would be concurrent with the equipment on site.
Located in a "wet" D-5 or D-6 liquor license precinct, the restaurant will have a "pretty good-sized bar in it," Herron said.
Kosiba arranged and chaired the informational meeting with city officials including Mayor John Berlin, Auditor Betty Brothers, Service Safety Director Ken Kenst and Zoning Officer Pat Morrissey.
Also attending was Monroeville, Pa., Mayor Gregory Erosenko, a member of the Forza Group.
"It's impressive to have all the activity going on," Kosiba said referring to the Salem Community Hospital's bed tower, the purchase of Timberlanes Restaurant and Motor Inn by Brooke Pidgeon and the O'Reilly Auto Parts store conversion of the former Rite Aid building.
"Look at the amount of construction," he said, explaining the meeting was held to get the Holiday Inn parties together and discuss aspects of the project.
"This is great for the Salem community and business," Kosiba said.
The Holiday Inn Express will have a swimming pool, fitness center and jacuzzis and Herron expected to employ local vendors and contractors.
Larry Shields can be reached at lshields@salemnews.net
