Study: Century Not Ready For Hotel Or Motel

May 19, 2015

Now is probably not a good time to open a hotel or motel in Century, according to a University of West Florida Haas Center study commissioned by the town council.

The town’s recently developed economic development plan from the UWF identified a lodging business might be needed for Century to capitalize on visitors that pass through the town on a daily basis — about 10,200 vehicles per day average on Highway 29.

The $12,500 study found that development of a hotel may need to wait for Century to grow a bit.

The hotel feasibility study included a neighborhood and market area analysis that considered interstate and CSX access, Century Correctional Institution, and local events and festivals. The study also looked at the influence of competing motels and hotels in Brewton and Atmore, a stagnant hotel market trend in southern Alabama and costs.

The study concluded that a 70-room budget or economy hotel my be feasible under “strict circumstances”, but the project costs might outweigh the overall economic value.

Pictured: Gas stations on Highway 29 already capitalize on a steady stream of traffic through Century. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

13 Responses to “Study: Century Not Ready For Hotel Or Motel”

  1. opinion on May 22nd, 2015 12:49 pm

    If we can get rid of some of these old heads in century. … and get someone else out here that cares for this town and want to see change….. the old heads around here choose who they want to give grants to… and their historical area where everyone comes to looks like crap…. the old century hotel that lady that lives there has been trying to get help for over 7 years and still no help but yet everyone around her is getting it. No insulation no heat for winter season sad and there is kids that live there… and that’s part of the alger sullivan historical district. Like I said they need someone there that’s ready for change and a better community. . These old heads that r in charge don’t want to see that…

  2. john on May 20th, 2015 6:42 am

    I have wondered if, and am only speculating, that are the people of the town so used to having other people do things for them, including town leadership, that they have become slothful in their dealings, and don’t have the drive to better themselves, before I offend anyone, I am just commenting, could this be the case.

  3. Niknak50 on May 20th, 2015 3:49 am

    I admire the Century people that want to improve their community, but they aren’t living in reality. Businesses do not and will not locate in the “hood”. On this site as of now are the articles “homicide suspect and drive by shooting”. Quick, what Century hotel do you want To stay in tonight? and will all the tires be on your vehicle the next morning?
    Driving down thru Century from Flomaton I,m sorry……it looks like the hood and the articles every day on this site state my case far better than I.

  4. Brewton Residence on May 19th, 2015 9:53 pm

    The City Of Brewton just earmarked Thousands of Dollars for a hotel/motel study also. No results yet for Brewton. I know in Brewton there is only 2 hotels left. One big one just closed down due to water leaks on a flat roof and needs to be torn down. The other 2 left are old and are full. It is quicker to go to Poarch Creek and stay there vs Century. Pay more but more clean and secure.

  5. citizen on May 19th, 2015 6:35 pm

    With 10,200 cars coming through per day, I believe it is important to do what can be done to keep the sides of Highway 29 looking good and capitalize on this through traffic. I would think Escambia and the State of Florida would recognize this opportunity and start with welcome center, Century is a sweet town all in all.

  6. Avis on May 19th, 2015 11:20 am

    Image is everything. Nobody would want to spend the night on Tobacco Road. And no, I’m not talking about cigarettes. Read a book already.

  7. teaspoon on May 19th, 2015 9:23 am

    Chris said a mouthful nothing else needs to be said well put together…

  8. chris on May 19th, 2015 7:35 am

    No major chain is going to locate in Century until both the economic and the crime situation become more stable. That goes for more than just hotels.

  9. old person on May 19th, 2015 7:27 am

    I could have told them that for a lot less money

  10. jeeperman on May 19th, 2015 6:46 am

    Why did the town council spend $12,500 on this study in the first place?
    If the study had said yes, was the town council going to go build a hotel/motel?
    Or use the findings to convince some company or person to come and build one in Century?

    Seems to me if some enterprising individual or company was able to see profit potential, they do not need some study by the local government to tell them it would be profitable.

  11. bama on May 19th, 2015 5:22 am

    To need a hotel/motel there needs to be a reason for a person to be in a particular place. Century doesn’t have that. There are no attractions or other reason to be there, other than passing through.

  12. Gman on May 19th, 2015 5:15 am

    What a shock, not. Had the town council read the comments in NorthEscambia it would have an extra $12,500 in the budget. Ask the people who live in the area before spending tight tax dollars on a study.

  13. Mike on May 19th, 2015 4:33 am

    I don’t think the major chains are clamoring to get in here, but I could be wrong. If so, I see no problem with it, it would bring some jobs to the area.