CLEAR LAKE – Clear Lake’s Hilltop Hotel is gone, but in its place, a new hotel development is in the works, and city leaders are offering the public a chance to sound off on the project at two town hall meetings this week.
City councilman Bennett Smith reminded Clear Lake residents of the opportunities to offer feedback.
“I would encourage residents of Clear Lake to attend one of the town hall meetings coming up this week on the proposed hotel project in the Surf District,” Smith said. “The proposal does involve closing off a portion of 7th Ave. N. and it is important that we get as much feedback as possible on the overall project.”
The construction site is generally located at 10 Allens Aly, near the Surf Ballroom.
According to the City of Clear Lake, Iowa:
You’re Invited: Public Info Sessions on the Proposed Oaks Hotel Project (pictured at top, via Google). The City of Clear Lake is hosting two public information sessions to share details about the proposed Oaks Hotel development, planned for the former Hilltop Hotel site—located next to the historic Surf Ballroom and the new Music Experience Center. This project represents an exciting opportunity to further enhance Clear Lake’s tourism, hospitality, and cultural scene. Community members are encouraged to attend and learn more about the vision and plans.
Session 1:
– Monday, August 11th at 6:00 p.m.
– Music Experience Center
Session 2:
– Wednesday, August 13th at 6:00 p.m.
– Music Experience Center
City officials and project planners will be present to walk through the proposal, answer questions, and hear your feedback.
“Don’t miss this chance to be part of the conversation about a major new addition to Clear Lake’s future. We hope to see you there!” the city added.
According to the Clear Lake Chamber of Commerce, the project has been in the works for years by the Snyder family, a major player in the renovation of the Surf Ballroom and the surrounding area. In January of 2023, they posted a narrative of the thinking behind the development:
The Snyder family in Clear Lake has embraced the need for change. They saw the potential for big things in and around the Surf District and decided to move forward. One step at a time. One foot in front of the other. This family-owned business has a heart for Clear Lake history and the commitment to making things happen. Thankfully, they weren’t alone in their progressive thinking. Mayor Crabb, Scott Flory and Creighton Schmidt with the City of Clear Lake stood behind their idea to enhance the Surf District area. The Surf Board of Directors (Jeff, Paul, Shane & Laurie) hopped on board with the project as well, encouraging the Snyder family to keep moving forward. They just had to figure out how. “With the Surf having recently been designated on the National Register of Historic places, we began to wonder how we could improve it,” stated Chelsy Snyder Anderson. “We soon realized there wasn’t much we could do beyond restoration of the building, so we shifted our focus to improving the area surrounding the Surf.” And so, they purchased the Hilltop Hotel and Fiddler’s Lounge in the Surf District. Their plan? To create a boutique hotel; a true destination for music lovers all over the world. The Snyder family, however, isn’t necessarily ‘going into’ the hotel business. The North Iowa Cultural Center and Museum, the nonprofit which operates the Surf Ballroom, will own the hotel and a third party will manage and operate it. “In the early planning stages, I pushed for something similar to a Hard Rock Hotel but with a Surf vibe,” Anderson said. “When the Destination Iowa grant became a possibility, my family and the Surf crew decided to put a piece of Clear Lake history back in its place.”