Town Planner Justin Setser gave an update on the Scott-Griffin Hotel project during the May 1 Franklin Town Council meeting.
The town received a $65,000 grant from Opportunity Appalachia (plus a $10,000 match from the town) to study the possibility of restoring the former hotel on Main Street as a boutique hotel with a rooftop restaurant.
Setser said in checking with the National Registry of historical buildings they learned the building did not qualify because too much of the original structure had changed, but they are now looking at the possibility of establishing a small historic district. The designation could improve the possibility of receiving tax credits for the project.
Setser showed renderings of the project with the lobby, lounge, offices and laundry facilities being on the main floor in the area previously occupied by the Art Room, next to Silver Threads & Golden Needles.
Plans for the hotel show 20 guest rooms on the second and third floors with one suite on the second floor having a balcony overlooking Main Street. The restaurant and kitchen would be on the fourth floor with indoor and outdoor dining offering 360-degree views of the mountains.
Setser has been in touch with the Western Carolina University hospitality program and No Wrong Door about potential job placement opportunities. He has also contacted Southwestern Community College’s culinary program about possible apprenticeships in the restaurant.
During the meeting, Setser showed a video featuring he and Mayor Jack Horton talking about the hotel and its potential impact on the town. The video will be shared during the Opportunity Appalachia Investor Convening, a virtual conference being held May 31-June 1. During that time they will pitch the project to outside investors.
“Anybody can invest in it that wants to,” said Setser, adding that they welcome interested local investors as well.
Social District
The May 1 meeting also included Bernadette Peters talking about how they implemented the social district in Sylva. At the April Town Council meeting, three people spoke during the public session asking that the council consider establishing a social district in Franklin.
In 2021, the General Assembly passed legislation that allows the establishment of social districts where people can consume alcohol off-premises but within the defined social district.
Peters, Main Street Economic Development Director for Sylva, said they were the second town in the state to develop a social district after the state passed the legislation. “It’s been very successful,” she said. She noted there had not been an increase in alcohol related complaints or calls to police related to the social district.
Peters said when they first started they used a test period with the district operating only on weekends, but have since expanded it to seven days a week with limited hours on Sunday.
She said it was important to get input from those who sold alcohol as well as non-permit holders and the public during the process. She estimated they spent about $3,500 on signs including signs to mark the boundaries of the districts and signs for the businesses to post with the rules regarding the district.
Peters said there is not another town in WNC, not even Asheville, that has adopted the social district, but it has had a positive effect.
“We see folks moving around on the street a lot more,” she said. She added that it’s not just restaurants or bars that benefit and that retailers are also starting to report an increase in sales as people spend more time in town.