Quincy Plan Commission gives green light for six-story hotel with rooftop bar

QUINCY — The derelict Welcome Inn property at 200 Maine is one step closer to getting a makeover.

The Quincy Plan Commission recommended at its monthly meeting Tuesday night the approval of the Quincy City Council for a special permit for a six-story hotel with a rooftop bar and restaurant, 85 to 90 rooms and an event space.

The property is part of the D3 downtown entertainment district. Buildings in this zone to the west of Third Street are limited to a height of 50 feet, or four stories, but proposals for the hotel exceed the limit by 18 feet. If approved by the council, the new hotel would stand approximately 20 feet taller than Microtel Inn & Suites, located down the street at 200 S. Third Street.

A special permit to allow for an exemption to the height limitations was requested by Sam Adler, the managing director for the St. Louis-based real estate development firm New + Found. Adler said the property at 200 Maine is one of three riverfront properties currently in development under the company. 

The budget for the project sits around $35 million and is estimated to be completed by fall 2027, pending approval.

“The reason for the request is so that we can create some really beautiful views of the riverfront for both the restaurant — it’ll be a public amenity — as well as the rooms,” he said during the meeting.

Will Duryea, a representative for View 21, a residential and commercial development located at 116 N. Third Street, spoke to the commission in favor of the development.

“I’m in full support of this project. Not worried about the view, not worried about the height,” he said. “I think it’s a great addition.”

Quincy Planning Director Jason Parrott explained during the meeting that the property exhibits a downward slope to the west of 34 feet, and he does not believe it will “injure the use and enjoyment of immediate properties.”

The 3.51-acre property was purchased last month by Quincy Hotel LLC for $500,000, exactly three months after a fire decimated the main lobby of the building on March 11. Four adults and one juvenile were arrested March 13 in connection with the fire. Three of the adults were charged with arson.

The Welcome Inn has been vacant since July 28, 2021, when city officials displaced more than 250 people by closing the Welcome Inn after making the determination that “the structure (was) unsafe and its occupancy (was) prohibited.” 

Parrott stated in a staff report that the proposal would “improve the public health, safety, morals, comfort and general welfare of the community by replacing a blighted and deteriorating property with a new development that will draw people to the downtown and the riverfront.” His report also stated that property values in the area could increase.

Adler’s request will be put to a final vote at the August 4 Quincy City Council meeting.

The commission also recommended the council’s approval of a special permit for a floral shop and design studio at 601 S. 22nd Street. 

The request was submitted by Robin Henehan, known professionally as The Flower Girl of Quincy. She plans to use the space to sell gifts and flower arrangements for weddings, funerals and other events.

Though the property is located in a single-family residential zoning district, the Neighborhood Land Use Plan of 2013 identifies the property as commercial. A special permit allowing commercial use of the building was secured in June of 1999 for a full-service beauty salon that remained in operation until 2023. 

The request was approved under the condition that customers park in the lot on the property, an ADA-accessible parking stall is provided and business hours not exceed 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

A development at 2300 Bonansinga Drive, owned by Kyle Grimm, was also recommended for council approval by the commission. Grimm sought the city’s approval in expanding the Driftwood Campground and RV Park to include 13 more RV pads.

Lastly, the commission reviewed the Planning and Development Department’s process for notifying the public of its hearings and happenings. 

Parrott said that although the department has been taking all of the necessary steps outlined in the department’s code, he hopes to also utilize social media and the city’s new website, which is still in development, to increase communication opportunities with the public.

The Quincy Plan Commission meets the fourth Tuesday of each month in City Hall Council Chambers.