THOMASVILLE — Although the Downtown Courtyard by Marriott is a long way from completion, construction activity is obvious and brisk at the intersection of Remington Avenue and South Dawson Street.

Jeremy Emmett, chief operating officer of Southern Lodging, the local company building the hotel, said plans have been presented to the Thomasville Payroll Development Authority (PDA) and the City of Thomasville.

Bill Edwards, local architect for the PDA, told the panel at a Monday meeting the plan is “very consistent” with the original rendering.

“There is a little refinement that happens,” Edwards said, adding that architectural refinements made to the plan will result in improvements.

Edwards said the hotel will be beautiful and that he could not be more pleased.

The project has a foundation and site work city permit, Mark Harmon, city chief building official, said at the PDA meeting.

A shell permit is the next step, Emmett said.

Kenny Thompson, city planner, said everything he has seen in hotel plans meets concept and design standards.

“I was very pleased to hear, after reviewing the final hotel plans, that both Thompson and Edwards, expressed their confidence that the plans not only respected the guidelines set forth by the city design standard documents for the site,” Emmett said, “but they also met and exceeded the vision of the rendering that was presented for approval to the PDA and the public that received such supportive applause last summer.

“Our intention has always been to build a beautiful hotel that would serve to support and enhance the downtown we are all very fortunate to enjoy,” Emmett added. “I am just glad that our continuing commitment to accomplishing that goal was recognized and supported during the meeting today.”

Hotel construction began in August. Completion is set for September 2020. 

The four-story hotel will have 105 rooms.

The $14 million investment will provide 40 to 50 jobs.

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820