Raleigh approves updated study to examine downtown hotel space

Since the last hotel study in 2003, downtown Raleigh has experienced a number of changes, including the return of vehicular traffic to Fayetteville Street and the openings of the Raleigh Convention Center and Red Hat Amphitheater.

The downtown hotel market feasibility study, toward which the city will contribute $20,000 of the $55,000 cost, will include site analyses, a review of rooms and public space needed, hotel type and quality recommendations, impact on the convention center and an analysis of existing industry public/private partnerships. The remaining $35,000 will come from the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce, Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau and Downtown Raleigh Alliance.

The city, along with the three booster groups, is currently recruiting a study consultant to analyze its results and recommendations.

The study, which is expected to begin in March 2015, will take about four months to complete, city officials said.