Request for Proposals: Gastonia Conference Center Hotel Pad

Description

Request for Proposals for Development Partnership associated with the properties at: 145 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way Gastonia Conference Center Hotel Pad Gastonia, North Carolina April 13, 2026 1 Request for Proposals Table of Contents I. Introduction / Background II. Proposed Scope of Work III. General Submittal Requirements and Information IV. Evaluation Criteria V. Additional Information 2 I. INTRODUCTION / BACKGROUND The City of Gastonia, North Carolina (the City) is soliciting and accepting Development Proposals from interested and qualified firms for providing development services for a hotel to be located on the vacant lot adjacent to 145 Dr. Martin Luther King Way located on the south side of the Gastonia Conference Center. This is an opportunity for a developer to be part of the exciting growth of Downtown Gastonia. The Gastonia Conference Center opened in 2012 to offer functional but elegant rental space for both social and corporate events. Over the past two years, the Gastonia Conference Center hosted an average of 400 events annually producing approximately $760,000 in revenue each year. The Conference Center was constructed with the possibility of connecting to a hotel on the surface parking lot with the connector located on the second floor at the south wall. Located a short drive from Uptown Charlotte and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Gastonia is the largest municipality in Gaston County and the second-largest in the rapidlygrowing Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The strong MSA-level trends have led to Gastonia’s resurgence as a residential destination for families in neighboring counties, with approximately 35% of families moving to Gaston County coming from Mecklenburg County. This city-owned potential hotel pad is located at the corner of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Franklin Blvd. offering the highest level of visibility and access. Adjacent to the property is a three-story parking deck municipal parking deck that is expandable with an additional three levels to accommodate this potential hotel. This corner site is 23,885 square feet and 0.55 acres with dimensions of 116.92 feet by 205 feet. Previous hotel studies show support for a 90-key mid-upper-scale product offering select-service. The City would also desire a full-service product based on updated market conditions.