OBSERVER Photo by Braden Carmen Town Councilman Ed Schintzius is a strong supporter of a hotel coming to the town of Hanover. Following a favorable study to evaluate the possibility, he might get his wish.

HANOVER — The results of the Hanover feasibility study for a potential hotel are in, and there is no doubt about what it means: Hanover is seeking a hotel.

Spurrier Consulting conducted a feasibility study to analyze the area along Routes 5 and 20 from the Seneca Nation land to the split near Save A Lot entering the Village of Silver Creek to determine if a hotel could be constructed and supported. Among the factors considered were the water and sewer capabilities of the Town, traffic patterns of the area, and the surrounding industry.

The result was very favorable for the town.

As stated in the conclusion of the report, “After analyzing the area, we strongly believe that a hotel is not just a luxury, but a necessity for the community.”

According to a Travel Research Trend Report conducted as part of the study, excluding rental properties, the nearest lodging for guests of the town of Hanover is 12 to 13 miles away. Hotel rates from Dunkirk, Fredonia, Hamburg and Lackawanna were analyzed and several brand name hotels were evaluated.

As a result, Spurrier Consulting recommends an 80-room hotel for the area, with seven brands identified as potential suitors — Best Western, Comfort Inn, Country Inn, Sleep Inn, Fairfield Inn, Hampton Inn, and Holiday Inn Express. According to the report, three of the seven brands typically require more than 70 rooms, while the other four brands are typically willing to house fewer than 70 rooms.

According to the report, “Chautauqua County is a stable and secure location for the proposed hotel” due to what was defined as a good industrial base with numerous recreational venues. The report seems to concur with previous statements made by Hanover Supervisor Lou Pelletter and Town Councilman Ed Schintzius, who each strongly advocated for a hotel in the town, especially due to the tourism impact of the fishing industry.

Spurrier Consulting’s report concludes by stating, “The hotel is needed in the community and should be viable, making community involvement a key factor in its success.”

The Town is still awaiting more information regarding the status of the plans for the former Lakeshore Hospital, which was expected to become a 100-plus bed behavioral and mental health facility. The Town believes it will have the infrastructure in place to adequately serve a 100-bed facility at the Lakeshore site as well as an 80-room hotel.

After meeting with the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, the Town will look to facilitate an agreement between interested developers and landowners in the area for potential development. Information will also be posted on the Town’s website for interested parties to view.

“I’m very happy about our progress. We’ll see what happens,” Pelletter said.