BY SARAH STEPHENS
PHOTOS BY MALIA RIGGS
ELMORE AUTAUGA NEWS
See below for more photos.
MILLBROOK, Alabama -Thursday a big crowd gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking for a new TownePlace Suites by Marriott in Millbrook.
This new development by RAM Hotels is their second hotel for Millbrook. It will sit beside Springhill Suites, which was the first RAM hotel in the area.
Stuart Peters is with Landmark Engineering and Construction and the Project Manager for the City of Millbrook. He welcomed the large crowd, introducing each speaker and official.
“We are celebrating another great project in the growing area of Millbrook and Elmore County,” Peters said.
“I have been affiliated with this project and this site for eight years. I know many of you here remember this spot. This was the land Dick Dorsey owned. Great view, but it was an absolute disaster here on site. There were so many challenges.”
Many agencies had to come together to make this project work.
“Thankfully Rinkesh Patel and his group RAM Hotels came along,” Peters said. “Rinkesh was a calming influence. He came in and said ‘we are interested. We have some challenges.’ And we worked together to get this done. The city put in Hospitality Lane. We had a lot of work that the County Commission and the County did to help us. It has been a team effort.”
That work led to the first step in SpringHill Suites being built and opening, and now coming next year in approximately 11 months will be TowneHill Suites by Marriott.
Pastor Brannon Bowman, from Millbrook Presbyterian Church, led the prayer for the groundbreaking.
“Oh, mighty and glorious God, we thank you as we stand here in mud and dirt and clay and we see progress taking place. We can only imagine what it is going to look like to see a building rise from this dirt. We pray the impact of this hotel on our community be reflective of Millbrook being a town that opens wide its arms, to show hospitality and to welcome all who would come to visit and to stay.”
He asked that all who come will tell the tale of a wonderful community and a beautiful place to stay.
Millbrook Mayor Al Kelley first thanked the entire staff and different organizations that worked so hard to make Thursday possible.
“There are a lot of details that go on behind the scenes,” Kelley said. “But the friendships that we have made through these types of developments over the years is incredible.”
Kelley said the current project is a great example.
Speaking of Rinkesh and Matt Patel, Kelley said, “These are friends. It is not just the fact we are getting a hotel.”
Alabama House Representative for District 88 Jerry Starnes addressed the crowd.
“This is such a growing and expanding corridor and the addition of Town Place Suites represents not just another anchor business, but a beacon of progress. This is a continued progress that is shaped by the leadership and foresight of Mayor Al Kelley, President of City Council Michael Gay and the dedicated members of the Millbrook City Council. Their vision has been crucial to our shared success. We also owe a debt of gratitude County Commission Chairman Bart Mercer and the Elmore County Commission whose governance and support has been pivotal. I also want to acknowledge the Economic Development Director Ann Harper and Brenda Dennis, executive director of the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce. Their tireless efforts and dedication have been instrumental in bringing this new business to our city.”
Commission Chairman Mercer said the county is so proud of the hard work to make the groundbreaking possible.
“The difference in this hotel is, it is another RAM Hotel in Millbrook. When they were considering where to locate and put their investment dollars, they knew what they were getting into when they decided to locate in Millbrook. Obviously, they liked it. I think that goes to show and highlight the hard work of the city, the mayor and the Chamber of Commerce, RAM and the council.”
Elmore County Economic Development Authority Chairman Art Faulkner was up next.
“Stuart said it has been a few years since we originally came to this place to break ground on the first RAM hotel. But it is a special place for me because it was the first groundbreaking I did as the Chairman of ECEDA. I am glad we are back out here today. “
Faulkner said the day marked the foresight of the county and municipalities within Elmore County, to help people take advantage of the natural resources and priorities set by the Commission and municipalities. It will provide a place for people to come and fish in the rivers, play golf, or enjoy one of the sporting venues that are open now, or coming soon, such as 17 Springs.
“Hopefully it will not be that long before we break ground on the next one,” Faulkner said. Progress brings more opportunities for locals and visitors and brings sales tax revenue to benefit the county, he said.
Matt Patel is COO and co-founder with RAM Hotels and spoke of his excitement for this particular project.
“I love Town Place Suites. We probably own nine to 10 different hotels in the Marriot brand. But Townplace Suites is my favorite. It will be 107 rooms. We will have 12 one-bedroom suites. Our one-bedroom suites have full kitchenettes, stove, and oven. The rest of the rooms are studio suites, and all include kitchenettes, dishwashers and range tops and everything you need to have a long, comfortable stay.”
Matt said that this brand is Marriot’s upscale, extended stay product. It is designed for anyone coming to town for one night, a family coming for a sports tournament, or someone relocating to Maxwell that needs to stay for more than two or three months. It is for someone in Elmore County or Millbrook that has a situation where their house is being repaired.
Another difference is every room has a specially designed closet for long-term stays. Each location also has a grill next to the firepit. There will be a large gym for guests, and free breakfast.
“All this love that we are getting, I want you to know it goes both ways. We love Millbrook. I come here every two weeks, and it feels like home. I drive around so proud of this hotel and our associates. One thing that will make this hotel different in Alabama is our associates. Our RAM teams do an incredible job of hosting guests.”
He said that RAM Hotels is far more than Rinkesh and Matt. It is all the associates and the partnerships that make it a success.
Next up was RAM Hotels CEO and co-founder Rinkesh Patel, who thanked Pastor Bowman for the opening prayer. He said the company offers up a prayer before every project begins.
He said his company does a lot of groundbreakings. However, Rinkesh said working with Millbrook and Elmore County officials is very special.
Rinkesh credited the many members and teams that work to make Elmore County progressive. He spoke of a recent tour he took of the 17 Springs property in Millbrook and how impressed he is with that development, particularly that five partners came together to make it a reality.
“There are many things to do as elected leaders. And you decided to do something that will be good for the community for years to come.” Rinkesh said. He added that focusing on something that will benefit the youth makes a community so much better.
“That is the one of the main reasons we chose to come back and put our second hotel here as well,” Rinkesh said. Speaking to Mayor Kelley, he said, “We saw that you are dedicated. You are not just an elected leader; you are also entrepreneurial. We got a good sense from all the city staff members that we ran across.”
He thanked his many partners including Marriott International, and all associates that have been able to build a $750 Million portfolio.
Next to speak was Chamber President and CEO Brenda Dennis.
“I am so proud of Mayor Kelley, the city, the city council, the Commission and ECEDA,” she said. She acknowledged all the members of the Millbrook Chamber of Commerce and said she is grateful for their support.
She thanked Fantail Restaurant for providing charcuterie cups, and Eleven86 water for their donations for the day.
Stuart Peters wrapped up the ceremony, saying he must mention former Economic Development Director Carol Thompson, who worked tirelessly for many years for the City of Millbrook. She was involved in the early days of the Springhill Suites project. He thanked Ann Harper for her work on the multiple projects over the years.
At the ceremony, representatives gathered to cast dirt with shovels, donning hard hats. It marks a new beginning, as well as a continuation of growth for the West Elmore County area.
