Red Lion Hotel coming to Fort Valley
June 13, 2019
13 WMAZ - Kayla Solomon
FORT VALLEY, Ga. — Since July of 2017, we've told you about a plan for a hotel and convention center along Bluebird Boulevard. Now, the wait is almost over.
Last week, Red Lion Hotel Corporation announced that it's coming to Fort Valley in a news release. The release also says the hotel will have 110 rooms, a pool, exercise room, movie theater, restaurant and bar.
Mayor Williams says this could create jobs and give people a place to go.
"We are a university town wherein there's nothing for the students to do out beyond the gates. That will help with that."
For Fort Valley State University alumni, this would make it easier on busy weekends like graduation and homecoming.
"People can stay here in Fort Valley as opposed to having to travel 20 and 30 minutes," says Fort Valley State alum and local pastor Stanley Kimble.
Mayor Williams estimates there will be about 150 jobs created during construction and between 50-100 once it opens.
"It would be an awesome place for college students to work and high school students as well," says Kimble.
Red Lion Hotels say they're coming to Fort Valley to serve those Fort Valley State students and visitors from Blue Bird Bus Company, which is right up the road.
Even though a groundbreaking date has not been set, Mayor Williams says this is a step in the right direction, and she's ready to start digging. Red Lion Hotels says the hotel should open by 2021.
