VIDALIA — Construction of a 90-room TownePlace Suites by Marriott is expected to begin this summer on the Vidalia Riverfront, Vidalia Mayor Hyram Copeland announced this week.

The Desai Hotel Group, which is based in Jackson, has been working with the City of Vidalia for nearly eight months to create the hotel.

TownePlace is an all-suite, extended-stay hotel brand that will include up to three bedroom units with kitchenettes and separate living/working and sleeping areas.

Earlier this month, the Vidalia Board of Aldermen approved a lease with the company for three acres on the Riverfront south of Promise Hospital.

The Desai Hotel Group owns and operates the Holiday Inn Express, which opened in July on Canal Street in Natchez.

Copeland said the hotel will be a major asset to the city.

“It’s going to give us the opportunity to be able to bring mid-sized conferences to Vidalia to the convention center and more tournaments to the recreation complex,” Copeland said. “Coach (Johnny) Hoffpauir just signed six tournaments for the recreation complex last week and he’s booking more all the time, so this is going to be a tremendous asset for us.”

Copeland said the hotel would also benefit the Concordia Economic and Industrial Development District and the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center, which benefit from a 4-percent occupancy tax.

“That tax is one of the primary functions that allows us to keep Concordia Economic Development District going,” Copeland said.

Concordia Economic Development Director Heather Malone said the hotel will allow Vidalia and Concordia Parish to attract more visitors, especially those coming to the area for a conference or convention.

“A lot of times, those people have to stay in Louisiana, and we just haven’t been able to accommodate that many people in the past,” Malone said. “This will help us accommodate those people and other visitors who want to take advantage of the amazing view you have right there on the river, which is a draw in itself.

“I think it’s going to be a huge boost to our economy.”

The hotel will also likely employ up to 40 people once completed.

Desai Hotel Group President Sunny Desai said crews are expected to begin construction this summer with an expected date of completion in the summer of 2015.

“We usually look at a one year construction timeframe, but it could certainly be quicker, depending on how everything goes,” Desai said. “I think it’s going to be a great location, and it was almost a no-brainer for us to take that piece of land so close to the river.

“We’re excited and looking forward to building a relationship with the City of Vidalia.”

The term of the lease is 99 years with an option to renew the lease for an additional 49 years after the lease ends on Dec. 18, 2112, according to the lease agreement. The company will pay the City of Vidalia $135,000, which will be paid in five equal annual installments of $27,000.

The finished hotel would give the city a total of three hotels and 250 available rooms.