A Prince George company has applied to build a four-storey hotel on a triangular vacant lot off Main Street.
Bryton Group, which has built residential and hotel developments across northern B.C., will have its application in front of the advisory planning committee before coming to council in the next few weeks.
Smithereens will have a chance to voice their approval or disapproval as the project makes it way through zoning and community plan amendments to allow the height, which is automatic for anything over three stories in town.
“I think it’s a pretty exciting project for Smithers,” said Mayor Taylor Bachrach.
“The idea of having a hotel right at the top of Main Street at the entrance to downtown is a pretty exciting thing.”
After posting the application news on his Facebook page, Bachrach said he has already gotten lots of feedback.
“There’s quite a bit of interest, and there are a variety of opinions out there,” said Bachrach, who believes another hotel may be needed for visitors to the Bulkley Valley.
“I have heard from folks in the industry that, especially during the summer months that things can get pretty busy. They’ve done their homework and decided that there’s a market for another hotel.”
Proponent Stuart Ramsay of Bryton Group could not be reached for comment.