A developer is proposing to build a boutique hotel in downtown Worthington, a project that would incorporate two historic buildings including the now-closed Worthington Inn.

The three-or-four-story hotel would be built on an empty lot at 41 W. New England Ave. and include 45 to 55 rooms and underground parking. It would wrap around the Snow House, a 206-year-old commercial building on West New England Avenue noted for its crooked facade.

The project calls for reopening the Worthington Inn across the street to serve hotel guests and the general public.

The development would fill a void in the market for a boutique, high-end hotel, said Kevin Rohyans, with the New England Development Co., the Worthington firm that owns all three properties involved in the project.

"We also think this could serve as the anchor for the historical downtown of Worthington by adding vibrancy to the core," Rohyans said. "We feel this project would add to the long history of lodging at The Worthington Inn and in the historic downtown of Worthington in a modern and relevant way."

The developer asked the city of Worthington to extend its Community Reinvestment Area to incorporate the property, providing a 75% property tax break on improvements to the site for up to 10 years. At its Nov. 15 meeting, Worthington City Council authorized city staff to draft an ordinance expanding the CRA to include the property and some others in Old Worthington.

Several Worthington residents spoke in favor of the proposal at a recent council meeting, in part because it would revive the Worthington Inn, a local landmark that anchored downtown Worthington for more than 180 years — most of that time as a restaurant — before closing on Jan. 1, 2019. In 2007, the upper floors of the inn were converted from guest rooms into condominiums, while the lower floors continued as restaurant and banquet spaces until closing nearly three years ago.

"This project would bring life back to that building," said Michael Ball, a member of the Build Worthington's Future organization, which has endorsed the project. "This is a phenomenal opportunity."

Others said the project would provide a boost to a city at risk of falling behind other Columbus suburbs.

"I beg our representatives to please support this development that would inject a much-needed shot of adrenaline into what feels like a fading downtown," said Jennie Fuerst, who has lived in Worthington for 20 years. "Unfortunately, Worthington has a reputation of sitting idly by while our neighbors progress and thrive."

Brian Swanson, who said he recently bought the closed Half Pint restaurant nearby in Old Worthington, said the hotel "would add some vibrancy to our downtown and just give off some energy down there. ... I think it would be a major loss for the city if this development doesn’t go through."

Don Miesle, who lives behind the proposed hotel, was the only person to express concern about the project at the City Council meeting. Miesle said he was worried about water runoff from the development and its height.

"I think we need more information," Miesle said.

Rohyans said many details of the project still need to be worked out, including how the Snow House itself would be used. Developers also are considering a rooftop amenity on the hotel, "though the full programing for the hotel has yet to be decided," he said.

Developers estimated the cost of the project at $8 million and said it is projected to yield more than $200,000 a year to the city in bed taxes, income taxes and property taxes.

Rohyans said the developers have no timetable for the project.

"After our parcel is officially included in the CRA boundary, we would then seek a CRA agreement with the city followed by the architectural and other planning approvals," Rohyans said. "In the meantime, we plan to continue our public outreach within the community to share our vision and gather input."

jweiker@dispatch.com

@JimWeiker

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Boutique Worthington hotel plan would include Worthington Inn