Driscoll Develops Homewood Suites

Fort Smith-based hotelier and developer Marion Driscoll will be developing a Homewood Suites by Hilton in Fort Smith at 7300 Phoenix Ave., on the corner of Phoenix and McKennon avenues.

The 71,000-SF, four-story hotel will feature 88 suite-style rooms, an indoor pool, exercise facility, business center and an 850-SF meeting space. Driscoll said he expects the project to be completed in late 2008 or early 2009.

The hotel, which will be located near the entrance to the Fort Smith Regional Airport, will “bring the high level of service that our clients are used to,” Driscoll said.

The building permit was issued Aug. 17 and was valued at $4 million. Driscoll, who also builds high-end custom and spec homes, did not disclose figures for the entire project budget.

The project was financed through Citizens’ Bank & Trust Co. of Van Buren, First National Bank of Fort Smith and The Bank of Fayetteville. The property is on lease from the airport.

Pam Scheurer, Northwest Arkansas regional director for Marion Driscoll Hotels – Resorts Inc., will be the general manager for the hotel.

Marion Driscoll Construction and Randy Hobbs Construction Inc. are the general contractors for the project. The project superintendent is Robert Hunsucker.

The new hotel will feature energy-efficient heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, and low-emissive windows that will reflect 95 percent of ultraviolet rays.