Downtown Woodstock Hotel Project Rebrands and Extends Timeline

The downtown hotel project in Woodstock has undergone a significant rebranding and an extended timeline for construction. Originally designated as a Cobblestone Hotel, the project will now operate under the name Country Inn and Suites. This change was prompted by feedback from lenders, which has enhanced the project’s financial standing without modifying its core plan of a 60-room, upper-mid-scale hotel featuring a public-facing food and beverage component.

Woodstock Economic Development Director Jessica Erickson informed the City Council that the hotel was initially set to be completed by August 2026. However, the council voted earlier this year to revise the completion deadline to November 2026. On Tuesday, the council approved a new agreement facilitating the project without further discussion, and no public comments were made regarding the new timeline or branding.

City officials noted that the developer had identified financing for the project by October; however, this was past the deadline, placing them in technical default of the previous agreement. The necessity of a new agreement arose from several factors, including adjustments to the developer’s financing timeline and the city’s acquisition of additional properties adjacent to the hotel site.

Details of the Revised Agreement

The new agreement aims to address structural gaps identified since 2024 and incorporates the updated brand and project conditions. It includes provisions for cross-access and compatible development between the hotel and the newly acquired properties, which are meant to facilitate construction staging.

The hotel is planned for the corner of Jefferson and Calhoun streets, where a city-owned parking lot currently exists. The city has also acquired adjacent property on Calhoun Street, where three businesses operate. Plans are in place to demolish the existing building, and one business has received relocation assistance from the city. Earlier this year, Woodstock initiated court proceedings to acquire a property north of the parking lot through eminent domain.

Despite the changes to the agreement, the financial incentives for the hotel project remain unchanged. The city will provide the land at no cost, contingent upon meeting specific conditions, alongside TIF reimbursements amounting to either $2 million or 20% of project costs.

With the revised agreement, the new completion deadline for construction is set for October 1, 2027, and the hotel must be operational by December 1, 2027. As the project progresses, city officials remain optimistic that these adjustments will lead to a successful development that enhances the downtown area of Woodstock.