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May 1, 2024
MANITOWOC – The building of two new hotels will soon be underway in Manitowoc, marking the first time in more than two decades the city has welcomed new hotel additions.
A restaurant is also in the plans and, together, the city – which has a population of nearly 35,000 residents – is projecting a positive boost to both the area’s active tourism industry and its local job force.
Manitowoc Mayor Justin Nickels announced the project last month following the City Council’s initial approval, and so far, he said it has been well received.
The properties – a Hampton Hotel by Hilton and a Marriott-brand hotel – will be erected on the same parcel of land alongside Interstate 43 off South 44th St., just west of the AMC Movie Theater.
“This is an excellent addition to our community, especially since this is the first hotel in 25 years,” Nickels said. “It brings a Hilton and Marriott brand to Manitowoc, which we have never had.”
Nickels said the land for the businesses was acquired several years ago, but the project is now ready to move forward.
Construction on the Hampton project is projected to start with site preparation in the spring/summer 2024 and completion in summer/fall 2025, with full operation by Jan. 1, 2026.
Construction on the Marriott-brand hotel is projected to start in spring/summer 2028 and completion in summer/fall 2029, with full operation by Jan. 1, 2030.
Nickels said the new properties are especially important for the business community who travel frequently and for those who have memberships to those brands, which will encourage them to stay when they visit Manitowoc for work or leisure.
Specific details on the restaurant have not yet been released, except it will be constructed in the same area with the same timeline as the Hampton project.
Investments opening doors for opportunity
The new businesses, Adam Tegen, director of community development for the City of Manitowoc, said will spark an increase in hospitality and service-based positions, therefore creating additional job opportunities for locals.
“Anytime you have a development company willing to invest large sums of capital in the community, it helps to move everything forward,” he said.
Tegen said he views the investment in the two new hotels as a big win for the area’s economy.
“Each hotel is expected to create seven to eight full-time and 20-30 part-time jobs,” he said. “The employment at the restaurant will be dependent on the type and brand.”
At this time, Tegen said it is anticipated the Hampton project will have an investment of $12-$13 million.
“And early estimates for all three phases is more than 25 million,” he said.
According to Tegen, the Hampton Hotel is intended to have 84 rooms; while the Marriott will offer up to 78 rooms for guests.
The city, he said, also requested Hampton include additional meeting and conference spaces in the facility.
The project will now need site plan and building permit approvals – both internal review processes with the city.
“The addition of more rooms within the community allows us to continue to push Manitowoc as a tourism destination, which in turn supports a large variety of other businesses within the community by bringing dollars from outside the community here,” said Tegen.
A boost to area tourism
Courtney Hansen, director for the City of Manitowoc’s Department of Tourism, said the development projects will further complement the tourism industry in Manitowoc.
Known as Wisconsin’s Maritime Capital, Hansen said the city is recognized worldwide for its yacht manufacturing and for being home to the Wisconsin Maritime Museum – which houses the historic WWII Gato-class submarine, the USS Cobia.
She said the Hampton and Marriott properties will positively impact Manitowoc’s tourism industries for years to come.
“By completion, we’re adding 160 hotel rooms, which means more visitors can stay overnight and enjoy all Manitowoc has to offer,” she said. “We’re excited the visitors will soon have these comfortable, trusted lodging options available to them in our community.”
Hansen said her department has already begun to spread the word to visitors and prospective businesses about the upcoming accommodation options.
“We are confident these additions will attract leisure travelers, provide business travelers with new options and attract meeting planners organizing conferences, meetings, motor coach groups and sporting events with the Visit Manitowoc team,” she said. “These developments prove tourism is indeed thriving in the city of Manitowoc.”
Most impressively, Hansen said, is the projects’ financial impact.
“The projects‚ have an estimated payroll of $630,000-$695,000, and will generate room tax revenue,” she said.
Increasing the capacity of accommodations, Nickels said, means more visitors and a consistent influx of dollars spent at area restaurants, attractions, small businesses and boutiques.
“These hotels will be located directly on Interstate 43 by our business district, so many restaurants, (including) the new one, will benefit greatly from this as well,” he said.
Nickels said the hotel’s location between bigger cities on the Lakeshore, such as Sheboygan and Green Bay, will help draw in even more tourists who attend events.
“Being right between Whistling Straits and Lambeau Field, there is a lot more opportunity to capitalize on events happening at either place,” he said.
