Editor’s note: The following story contained several grammatical errors. The story below corrects those errors. We regret the error and are happy to set the record straight.

VIDALIA — Two hotels with retail space and condominiums could soon be coming to the Vidalia Riverfront.

The Vidalia Board of Aldermen approved the lease for a new riverfront hotel and retail center Tuesday.

The lease covers 3.7 acres of land south of the bridge next to Promise Hospital.

The leaseholder is the Desai Hotel Group, who also had a 3 acre lease approved last February.

The newer lease states that the 3.7 acres can be used for a hotel, lounge, restaurant and a small retail facility.

The Desai Group will be paying an annual rent of $33,000 an acre for 5 years for the right to use the land for 99 years, according to the lease.

“We see the growth in the city,” Desai Hotel Group President Sunny Desai said. “There will be a lot of demand in this area.”

Desai said in addition to the first hotel and second hotel, the land would likely have a retail space with condominiums above it.

Desai would not comment on any additional details of the retail area or the second hotel saying all the plans need to be approved first.

Vidalia Mayor Hyran Copeland said the Vidalia Riverfront Development Committee must approve all plans for development of riverfront property.

All additions, maintenances and any sub-leasing to other companies must be approved first by the Riverfront Development Committee.

Copeland said he is looking forward to the new development.

“What that does for us, with our convention center, gives us three hotels that lets us host mid-sized and large conventions,” Copeland said. “Previously, we only had one hotel, and now we can accommodate more of those because of the hotel space.”

Copeland said he expects more baseball and softball tournaments will come to Vidalia because of the hotels.

“The city has been very proactive in getting hotels into the area,” said Heather Malone, who is executive director of Concordia Economic Development.

The budget for economic development in Concordia Parish is tied to the taxes on hotels and motels, Malone said.

Malone said Concordia Parish had a decrease in tourism since the recession in 2009.

She expects the new hotels will give Concordia Parish enough money to begin more marketing campaigns.

“I think this is a great opportunity for our area,” Malone said. “The Mississippi River is a sight to see, even though we see it every day.”

The plans for the first hotel, a 90-room Towne Palace Suite by Marriot, will be permit ready in six weeks, Desai said.