Bonham -- Spring showers couldn't dampen the spirit in Bonham Thursday morning as community leaders gathered for a formal groundbreaking ceremony at the construction site of the town's long-awaited flagship hotel, a 66-room Holiday Inn Express that is expected to be open for the Christmas holidays.
"This is the answer to the most-asked question in Bonham," quipped Bonham Mayor Roy Floyd, referring to the hottest topic in town -- when construction will begin on the Holiday Inn Express.
Mayor Floyd introduced project developer G.K. Reddy and Mr. Reddy's contractor, Donavan Deil, and then asked Fannin County Judge Spanky Carter to welcome Mr. Reddy to the area.
"We are really excited," remarked Judge Carter. "This has been a long time coming. I hope this is a great opportunity for Bonham, but I also hope it is a great opportunity for you."
The Bonham mayor recalled the first time he showed the prospective site to the developer.
"Look up on that hill," said Floyd.
"There's nothing there," replied Reddy.
"That's the new Holiday Inn Express," answered Floyd.
That vision is now becoming a reality as earthwork prepares the site for construction.
"Mr. Reddy will be one of the biggest investors in Bonham in the past 50 years," predicted Floyd.
Cost estimates to construct the Holiday Inn Express are approximately $5.5 million and the second phase of this agreement, construction of a 50-room Reddy Hotel next door, has been estimated at $2.9 million. The two hotels will be located southeast of the junction of State Hwy. 121 and State Hwy 56.
"Bill Shipp, Bonham City Manager, has done an incredible job," added Floyd. "This is a great day for Bonham. G.K. has been great to work with. I also want to thank Bonham Area Chamber of Commerce and Bonham Economic Development Corporation."
When it was Reddy's turn to speak, he singled out Bonham's tireless advocate for bringing this development to Bonham.
"This project would not have been possible without Roy," Reddy stated.
Reddy predicted that construction on his second project, a 50-room extended stay hotel to be located slightly east of the Holiday Inn Express, would begin in "a year or two." He also hinted at plans to develop retail shopping on Hwy. 121 North in a year or so.
This project is another positive development in the Bonham area. Kelso Technologies is full-steam ahead on construction of its 44,000 sq. ft. production facility, Bonham City Council approved an agreement last week to bring Dalnor Systems, LLC to Jones Field, TCI Cable begins hiring in May, construction on 14 new airport hangars and improvement on 4,200 sq. ft. of apron space near the hangars is underway at Jones field, and renovations of camping spots at Lake Bonham is essentially completed.