Carrboro hotel's neighbors await opening

Although the opening of Carrboro’s first hotel has been delayed from May until August, several owners of nearby businesses say the benefits the project will bring outweigh the disruption caused by construction.

Manish Atma, the president of the hotel’s manager, Atma Hotel Group, said construction is finishing up at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Carrboro’s 300 East Main development. He said due to factors like the recent heavy rainfall, the new expected opening date is between Aug. 12 and 15.

“We don’t like delays but they happen,” Atma said. “It is a very complex building.”

He said the group is working on finishing small details.

“Construction is pretty much complete. We are just now doing finishing and side work,” he said.

During the hotel’s planning phase, some businesses and Carrboro Board of Aldermen members had voiced concerns about the negative impact construction could have on downtown. When 26-year-old Carrboro business Nice Price Books closed in February, the store’s owner noted sales had declined since the hotel construction began.

Art Menius, the executive director of Carrboro’s ArtsCenter, said he has seen a disruption to his business since construction began. But he said he thinks though the project has hurt businesses in the short run, it will ultimately be beneficial once the hotel is open.

“We of course can’t wait until the hotel is open and especially until the parking deck is open because that is badly needed by all of the businesses in downtown Carrboro,” he said.

“It will be worth the hassle.”

Brian White, who owns Carrboro’s branch of Fleet Feet Sports with his wife, Tricia, said he was excited about the hotel’s completion.

“I think the construction around us is a sign of growth,” he said. “It is only going to be a good thing to be able to have visitors coming through.”

Back Alley Bikes owner Jason Merrill said he is hopeful for the improvements the hotel will provide to the area in the long run. The store moved to its new location on Boyd Street in April.

“The net result will be better for business for everyone around it,” he said. “I think this has been a long hard road for the folks that have been around for the past year or so.”

Merrill said his only complaint about construction was the closing of the sidewalk around the hotel.

“If I were to have a gripe about it, I feel they could’ve kept a sidewalk open for a town so foot-based as Carrboro,” he said.

“I am ready for it to be open and just kind of waiting it out.”

Contact the desk editor at city@dailytarheel.com.