110-Room Hampton Inn Planned for Downtown Salem

Photo Credit: City of Salem

SALEM, MA — A $50 million development project on the corner of Washington and Dodge Streets is set to feature a new 110-room Hampton Inn.

Developer Dodge Area LLC has confirmed to the City that it has signed an agreement with an affiliate of the Main Course Hospitality Group to be the new owner and operator for a hotel expected to be a Hampton Inn. City Officials expect the hotel to generate almost $200,000 in new hotel occupancy tax revenues.

The announcement of the Hampton Inn was a part of three important milestones reached on the $50 million private development of a 178,000 square foot mixed-use project. The project covers approximately 1.5 acres, one acre of land owned by Dodge Area and a half-acre 38 space City-owned parking lot in Riley Plaza.

“We’ve now reached a number of significant milestones in the forward progress of this major project,” said Mayor Kim Driscoll in a statement. “We are excited, not only to grow our commercial tax base and create hundreds of new local jobs, but for the historic opportunity this project presents to expand our downtown in new directions – both literally and figuratively. With a street-front retail and hospitality complex on Dodge Street, the footprint of our downtown is poised to grow and become even more vibrant.”

The Salem News reports that early plans feature first-floor retail throughout the complex, as well as residential and office space.

The City also announced it had signed a land disposition agreement with Dodge for the purchase of the City Parking Lot on Riley Plaza. Additionally, a MassWorks grant will fund a City-managed effort to relocate public utility infrastructure in the parking lot and re-align the intersection of Dodge and Washington Streets.

Dodge Area's development consultant, RCG LLC, is expected to file plans with the Salem Redevelopment authority and its Design Review Board. Construction is expected to last between 18 and 24 months after the project receives SRA approval, and the completion of demolition and utility work. City officials also estimate $300,00 in new annual property tax receipts from the development.

“The entire project team is excited to get this project out-of-the ground in the near future,” reported RCG LLC Managing Principal Matt Picarsic. “Everyone has been working on the project for years, and we believe these new buildings will bring new life to this neighborhood.”