Two different lots in College Township have struggled to bring in new business. but new proposals on the table look promising for growth.

On Benner Pike the Walmart-Sam’s Club site stays busy, but a piece of land that’s part of the original layout is vacant.

Now, a development plan is in the works to bring a new hotel to the lot.

Kent Baker, Engineer for College Township, said there were plans years ago for another hotel but it fell through.

“We’re thinking this one is pretty serious. We expect to get this one approved and you should see a new hotel going in there,” Baker said.

This hotel, currently called Dreibelbis Street Hotel, would have 93 rooms.

During development, Baker’s jobs is to oversee traffic circulation for pedestrians and drivers, and mitigation of storm water impacts.

“I like to make sure all that work comes together,” Baker said.

While the property would build from the ground up, a proposal was submitted last week to fill an empty building in Hills Plaza on S. Atherton St.

“So that one has been vacant for about 15 years now, since the Ames store closed down,” Baker said.

Blueprints show a Giant Food Stores market filling the nearly 70,000 sq. ft. space.

“I think it will just make the property look better, and just make it a little busier location. And hopefully it’ll be beneficial for the other stores,” Baker said.

And Devin Stahlnecker, Store Manager of GNC on S. Atherton just a few doors down, said he likes the idea of more foot traffic.

“They’re going to come here and be interested and curious on what we have to offer,” Stahlnecker said.

And filling the empty space would be more inviting overall for community members.

“they seem pretty dissatisfied just because nobody is willing to try and help bring the plaza up and the surrounding stores. But I believe this will definitely bring a great benefit,” Stahlnecker said.

“College Township has been pretty lucky through the years. We’ve had a lot of development activity,” Baker said.

Baker said staff needs to give zoning approval for the Giant supermarket likely by the end of this month.

And plans for the hotel will go to council in October.