City Council approves special permit application for new 104-room hotel on Squire Rd.

By Barbara Taormina

The City Council enthusiastically welcomed Swampscott-based developer Jewel Saeed’s application for a special permit to reconstruct and expand an existing nonconforming structure at 185 Squire Rd. into a five-story boutique hotel with 104 rooms and 32 parking spaces. Development consultant Lou Markakis, of Lynn, presented the project during a public hearing at this week’s council meeting.

Markakis told the council the project development team spent six months meeting with the city planner and various department heads to review different aspects of the project. “The plan has been well vetted and scrutinized,” he said.

The hotel will replace the existing two-story mixed-use building, which Markakis called “outdated and underutilized.”

Councillors immediately began praising the hotel plan primarily because hotels with their room and meals taxes generate the highest amount of revenue for the city while placing the least amount of stress on city services.

The plan includes shuttle bus service that will contain traffic and transport hotel guests to MBTA stops, the beach or other points of interest. At Councillor-at-Large Juan Pablo Jaramillo’s suggestion, Markakis said the developer would add an additional bus to expand shuttle service to city residents.

Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna reminded fellow councillors of former Mayor Brian Arrigo’s committee focused on revitalizing Squire Road. McKenna said the goal was to bring hotels and restaurants to that street. “This is a great, great start for Squire Road,” she said.

Councillor-at-Large Anthony Zambuto was equally supportive. “This is a great location for a boutique hotel,” he said, adding that the more hotels Revere attracts, the less demand there will be for city services.

“It’s a great project and a win-win for everybody,” said Zambuto.

Ward 6 Councillor Chris Giannino worked with the development team and described them as helpful and open. “This will bring a lot of income to the city,” said Giannino.

Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelly raised a concern that not enough neighborhood notification and outreach had been done and more information needs to be shared with residents who live across the street and will feel the greatest impact from the hotel. But City Council President Anthony Cogliandro, who lives in the neighborhood, said notification had taken place and he looks forward to seeing a new Squire Road streetscape that includes the hotel.