St. Henry to have new hotel

ST. HENRY - Village council members on Monday heard plans for Romer's Catering to build a hotel expected to open for business next year.

Owner Jason Romer hopes to break ground next month for construction of the two-story, 9,751-square-foot, 25-room hotel at Romer's Catering in St. Henry, located 321 S. Eastern Ave.

Guests will stay in 18 double/queen-bed rooms and seven king-bed rooms, said Ben Moller, principal at Garmann/Miller Architects-Engineers. Each room will feature a patio or balcony that overlooks the St. Henry baseball field, Romer noted.

"It would be really cool to sit and watch a game," council member Brad Evers said.

There has been a need for lodging in the area for years, Romer noted.

"We know our wedding guests are going to use it and a lot of companies I contacted said they definitely need it," he said.

Miller said he is seeking zoning approval from the village this week to get the project underway.

In other business, councilors approved a $52,978 bid from Federal Field Services to install tornado sirens at South Park and near the new fire station on Western Avenue. They have discussed the need for additional sirens at several previous meetings.

The village meets Federal Emergency Management Agency requirements with two - one at the town square and the other at North Park. But installing two additional sirens is a good idea, making them easier for all residents to hear, village administrator Ron Gelhaus has said.

Construction of two new bathrooms and a storage building at shelter house No. 2 at North Park should begin in September, Gelhaus also told council members. The project, which will be funded by the village Community Club, also will include updates to the shelter house, such as fresh paint and the addition of electrical outlets so small appliances and other electrical items can be used. Gelhaus had no cost estimate as quotes are still being collected.

The village park board has agreed to keep the south park bathrooms open for 24-hours, council member Joe Wourms said. When completed, the bathrooms at North Park will be as well.

Also on Monday,

• Gelhaus thanked the village Heritage Club for helping fund flower pots placed around town.

"Their mission is to beatify the town, and they do a good job every year," he said.

• Gelhaus invited the public to attend Family Night Out with Emergency Services from 6-8 p.m. Sunday at North Park.