Construction begins on Hampton Inn in Tilton

By ROGER AMSDEN, New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent

November 15, 2006 - TILTON -- Site work is underway on a four-story, 92-room Hampton Inn which is scheduled to open in late spring in the busy Exit 20 area here. The inn is being built on a 2.48 acre site on the south side of Rte. 3-11, which was formerly the location of the Tilton 500 go-kart track and mini golf course.

The property was purchased in July 2005 for $1.05 million by Johnston Development LLC of Moultonborough from David Mandis of Westford, Mass. Jerry Miller of Johnston Development said the inn will be geared to serve business travelers in the Lakes Region and will have wireless internet, business conference "flex-rooms" and a business center, as well as amenities such as a pool and fitness center.

He said many large businesses nearby, like the giant JJ Jill distribution center less than a mile away, need places where people can stay when coming to the area and the location, just off from Interstate 93 and less than an hour's drive from the Manchester-Boston Regional Airport, is an ideal site for a business traveler-oriented hotel.

David Johnston, who is developing the property, was a partner in Lakes Region Gaming LLC, which last year was the high bidder at $4.1 million to purchase former Lakes Region Greyhound Park in Belmont but later sold the right to purchase the track to a group headed by Marlin Torguson of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi.

The Roedel Company of Wilton, which built the Hilton Garden Inn at the Manchester Fisher Cats ballpark in Manchester, is the contractor for the project. It is currently working on site drainage and is expected to start laying forms and pouring concrete by the end of the month.