GrandStay Plans Perk Up Algoma

Algoma’s future is much brighter today thanks to a proposal for a 55-room hotel brought forth to the Algoma City Council by Oshkosh developer Mike Lindner and GrandStay Hotels of Brooklyn Park, Minn.

Mayor Wayne Schmidt said, “We are very excited to welcome GrandStay Hotel and Suites to the City of Algoma. They are a first-rate operation, with a national reputation for providing high quality service to every guest every time.”

Lindner said, “The hotel will be located near downtown and Lake Michigan. Once we secure the site, project plans will be finalized and it will be designed to fit the architectural style and culture of the city.”

Lindner went on to say, “This $5.5 million project will include a fitness center and pool, board room, reception areas, and a variety of suites, all with WiFi. Once everything is finalized, the building will be constructed within six months, using as many local and regional contractors, subcontractors and skilled trades workers as we can.”

Mayor Schmidt commended Lindner and his team for their strong dedication to this project. “This is a tremendous boost for our city and the business community by providing employment opportunities and improving our tax base.”

Algoma City Administrator Jeff Wiswell said, “The city looks forward to enhancing our lodging and conference facilities so that we can evolve into a four-season destination.”

“There is a renewed spirit and sense of hope noticeable on city streets with several new businesses, shops, and a medical clinic opening recently,” Wiswell said. “We have a nationally recognized science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education program at the high school, a beautiful performing arts facility, and our school district is one of just a handful in the state that is enjoying a steady increase in enrollment. More than 20 new permanent jobs just adds to the city’s turnaround.”

“The beauty of Lake Michigan and Algoma’s thriving downtown, and its strong industrial base speak volumes about the city’s growth potential,” Lindner said. “We looked at three things in our study – commercial, leisure and group activities – and all are trending up Algoma.”

Lindner said his independent feasibility study and market research firm, Hotel R&D, looked at other localities on the peninsula including Kewaunee, Luxemburg and Sturgeon Bay, but we kept coming back to Algoma.”

GrandStay will also partner with other hotels and local businesses to showcase Algoma’s many attractions.

Lindner, who has done feasibility studies over the years for hotels and lodging facilities across the country and in Europe, noted that Algoma for its size has one of the most vibrant entertainment and restaurant scenes he has ever come across.

“However, Algoma lacks a national chain hotel presence,” Lindner said. GrandStay has hotels in 27 cities, including Wisconsin locations in Appleton, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Madison, Mount Horeb and Sheboygan.

Lindner said, “GrandStay will offer a large online presence, offer more rooms, and retain more visitors for the city without sending potential tourists online to other communities.”

Wiswell said, “This development will allow the city to host larger meetings and conferences for the first time in its history. We have a clear vision for the economic direction of the city, and our future is very bright!”