Updates on Perkins' new hotel

PERKINS TWP. — Details emerged about a new hotel occupying space in the former Rodeway Inn, sometimes referred to "Roadway" Inn, on Milan Road (U.S. 250). Perkins Township officials recently received documentation further fleshing out info about a forthcoming Fairfield Inn & Suites, under the Marriott umbrella, being built there. Among the newest and most noteworthy information divulged, with details provided by township zoning inspector Melanie Murray: • "There will be 99 rooms with an existing portion of the former hotel to be for employees only." • "Building permits are expected to be applied for around the beginning of February 2021." • "The hotel is tentatively scheduled to open in April of 2022." Several other details, namely a dollar amount indicating a total investment, are not yet known. Though property owners believe it should be a "multimillion-dollar investment." A primer on the property This past fall, the property owners, the Ruta family, started demolition activities at the former Rodeway Inn, next to Mad River Harley-Davidson. Orazio George and Giovanna Ruta first built the motel in 1972 as a Super 8, but their son and granddaughter decided the location was prime real estate for a brand new hotel. "After almost 50 years, my father, Mike Ruta, and I found it was time to reinvest in the property with a new modern facility, offering the amenities today's guests have come to expect," Cecelia Ruta previously told the Register. "We like this location because it is central in the community, surrounded by foodservice and shopping options convenient to our guests." In its place, they plan to build a new five-story Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott. "The Fairfield Inn brand is committed to and has a reputation of providing a superior guest experience," Cecelia said. The Ruta family has a long history with the Fairfield brand, having operated the location next to Bogart Road for almost 30 years. But in 2022 their agreement with Marriott for that location will end. "We want to continue to offer a Marriott product in this area," Cecelia said. "The new Fairfield Inn will offer guests amenities such as an indoor pool, fitness center, conference room, in-room guest entertainment, and a large breakfast area suitable for families."