MASON CITY – It seems every few weeks, the citizens of Mason City are treated to a new chapter in the hotel development soap opera here in town.
First, we were told a new hotel would be built downtown.
Then, that turned out to be not true, at least at this time.
Now, rumors over the past several weeks were confirmed Friday when Kinseth Hotels announced that it will close the Clarion Inn, 2101 4th Street SW, in August. NIT is told that hotel employees were called to an emotional meeting this week and management said that the Clarion will soon close, be demolished, and a new Hampton Inn will be built in the same place.
According a source, the Hampton Inn will have 2 restaurants, “franchise types”. No banquet services will be provided. Details are still emerging on the development.
Employees are not guaranteed to be rehired, NIT is told, but will be given “special consideration” and until the Clarion closes, any employees who stay will receive a retention bonus per/hour at closing.
More on this story to come.
[poll random]
I hate to be negative but just more retail and new replacing old, so no real gain. We need new industry and good paying jobs.
HURRAY!! They can replace the front desk attitudes as well!
The Kinseth group is making a good decision here. That place is old and outdated. (Same as the Best Western that they own in Clear Lake.) Again, I think this is a good decision on their part. There will be more employee’s at the new place, everyone wants to stay at a newer hotel.
The Clarion is a expensive facility to run and they can’t make money at 50% capacity.
It’s a crappy hotel that has outlived its useful life. I am helping to plan a regional meeting and when the organizing committee looked at this hotel they were very disappointed. The condition is poor, there was a very strong moldy smell in some areas. They moved to another facility. All in all substandard facilities and the owners know it. They have been trying to replace this hotel for a long time. I think this is going to be a win for Mason City and a win for them.