A developer of a new hotel for Marriott International Inc. has broken ground off Gateway Drive in Hollister, further encouraging new business and tourism in San Benito County.

Lotus Management Inc. confirmed in a statement late Thursday to BenitoLink that the San Jose developer expects completion of the Fairfield Inn by next April.

The hotel reportedly will include nearly 90 rooms on four floors.

"The project marks the start of what we're doing now to bring in more visitors to the community," said Hollister Mayor Ignacio Velazquez. "This is a major step toward more tourism, which can help us create more activity here over a weekend, not only an afternoon."

"It's a great sign for the community," said City Councilman Karson Klauer. "I think that it could be a first of many new projects taking place here in the next few months."

In February, according to a previous report by BenitoLink, the Hollister City Council approved a plan to improve traffic and safety in 10 intersections along San Felipe Road and San Benito Street, between State Road 25 and Nash Road. The approval followed an assessment of traffic in the area by TJKM Transportation Consultants, which addressed concerns over a reportedly dangerous speed zone.

Kristina Chavez Wyatt, who spoke to BenitoLink Thursday on behalf of the San Benito County Business Council's board of directors and members, said that the development off Gateway Drive provides encouraging news for new activity and interest in the downtown area and beyond.

"We are pleased to see the continued investment in the Fairfield Inn hotel project in our community," said Chavez Wyatt. "There is a renewed sense of collaboration and facilitation for economic development in our community at all levels. The efforts of the City of Hollister in retaining the services of PKF Consulting USA to conduct a hospitality market analysis and in planning, permitting and pre-construction have also been instrumental in getting the project moving again."