KineticPark Reaches Turning Point With Signing of New Tenants
Velocity Center, Marriott Springhill Suites and Conference Center, Houlihan's Restaurant Plan to Break Ground Soon

Huntington - The Huntington Municipal Development Authority today signed contracts for new developments in both the commercial and business/technology portions of the park. In the commercial area, Hospitality Development Corporation is planning a four-story Marriott Springhill Suites and conference center. A Houlihan's Restaurant is planned as part of the hotel complex. In the business/technology portion of KineticPark the Huntington Area Development Council will build the Velocity Center, a $7 million incubator for biotech and other companies.

The contract signing today is being seen as a turning point in the development of KineticPark. "The sale of the commercial space will allow us to make a significant payoff in our state debt for the development of KineticPark," explains Bill Toney, Executive Director of the Huntington Municipal Development Authority. "This will give us more flexibility in marketing the business and technology portion. And the signing of the Velocity Center is something that we have looked forward to for some time. As the first technology business at KineticPark, it is sure to be a catalyst for further development."

The Velocity Center is a $7 million technology business incubator that will work with the Robert C. Byrd Biotechnology Center at Marshall University to explore and expand commercial applications to technology innovations. The 60,000 square foot building will also house other technology businesses, including AFB-TECH, the American Foundation for the Blind Employment and Technology Center in Huntington. Once construction begins, it is expected to take fourteen months to complete. The Velocity Center will be built on Lot #9 of KineticPark.

The Springhill Suites chain of Marriott Hotels is targeted to the business traveler. Each suite is 25% larger than a typical hotel room and features separate areas for sleeping, relaxing and working. A four story hotel with approximately 120 suites will be built at KineticPark. The Springhill Suites at KineticPark will also include a 6,000 square foot conference center. A Houlihan's Restaurant will also be a part of the hotel complex. Houlihan's serves classic American food in a trendy atmosphere. The hotel, conference center and restaurant is a $14-$15 million construction project that will employ approximately 130 people and will occupy all of Lot #2 and half of Lot #1 at KineticPark. The ground breaking is tentatively planned for May 2006, with the restaurant opening in the fall of 2006 and the hotel/conference center in 2007.

"We're very excited about coming to the Huntington market," says John Miller, President of Hospitality Development Corporation. "Huntington is a beautiful city with a lot of resources and good things just waiting to happen. With the growth of Marshall University and the health care field, we feel our project will be mutually beneficial to the city."
Updates on construction and other developments at KineticPark can be found at the community news website at www.kineticparknews.com.

Back to Current News headlines