I'm guessing it is in the city limits. it's about as far east as you can go. The Holzer Clinic is the next business over (maybe two over) and I think that may also be within the "technical" city limits. The city annexed a lot of land out on East State years earlier when the McBee plant was built out that way in the mid 1960's. I know that casued a lot of controversey over school districts and the tax assessments back then. I don't know when the city acquired the Super 8 land, but I'm pretty sure they did.

I've stayed at the Super 8 on a number of occasions. Its run by the Pytal (sp) family. Assuming you don't want to drive to town or to the game, you can use the bike path to reduce the walk time. I know that's quite a haul, but it is dooable. You can also call a Green Cab and they'll motor you in at their "in-town" city rate. Green cabs are pretty consistnet and they're not pricey. If you want to be be really cheap, you can also walk to the Wallmart and the Athens bus stops there. I think the fare is only $1.

As I'm sure you're aware, the problem with these "in-town" hotels is on a lot of busy weekends they make you book both nights and its often at an inflated price. I guesss its supply and demand.

You probably are already aware of these, but I'll mention them anyway. You can try the Higlander on W. Union. Not as jazzy or new, but it seems like its clean and well run. The Day's Inn out on Coumbus Rd where Rt 33 crosses is another option. That's not really walkable to town, but Green Cab serves it. You can also try the Hometown Inn on 50 near where it comnes in contact with 33 southh of town. I've only driven past it so I can't comment on it, but its advertised as cheap.

There is also a guy named Fuller that has a cottage he rents down on Richland Avenue. I don't know what he gets for it or how he rents it. You can look at it here: http://athenscottage.com

There also was a lot of talk about Air B&B's in Athens. I think the city was trying to control them. Not sure if any are out there or if they're approved, but I remember a lot of talk about them sometime back. Good luck!

If the Super 8 can fetch $325 dollars a night the business case exists for putting in a Westin down on Richland Avenue across from the OU Inn. A small Westin with a nice steakhouse, both best hotel and top restaurant in town (the region for that matter) could be viable. There are 12 to 15 weekends a year where the hotel could fetch $350 a night. Off nights $125 people will pay instead of an economy hotel. Steakhouse would do pretty well year round with street frontage. I was in Calgary this summer on night at the airport at an economy hotel that didn't originally have a restaurant. They remodeled the hotel and attached a nice restaurant attached to the hotel for street level visibility. Cutler's restaurant in the OU Inn doesn't have street level visibility which I think hurts it.

If i had the cash I'd put a restaurant in where Palini's is right off of Stimson right on the river. Nice dining room in an exposed brick interior, patio dining on the west side on the river, and plenty of parking. I've got the chef just don't have a million bucks.

Depending on where you are coming from the Holiday Inn Express in Logan might be as good as Parkersburg.

Ha Ha! I think the Sunset Motel can give the Day's Inn a run for the money on caution tape! But you're 100% right!

I like it. If done properly that could be extremely nice.

I'm surprised more hotels haven't popped up in Athens recently. Between all the University events that drive demand (not consistent but enough to make a pretty meaningful difference) and Athens location in relation to Cbus now that 33 is basically a straight shot, I would think the business case makes sense.

I checked out Airbnb. Not much in Athens itself, but a couple very scenic options not far outside of town. Could offer a pretty cool experience.

Interesting. A couple friends of mine had a room on Mill Street 3 or 4 years ago on HC. I guess that was prior to code enforcement catching on.

I wouldn't be shocked if one of the landlords that caters to students challenges the city on that law at some point. Airbnb would be an easy way to recover some of their loses if for some reason a house isn't on a longer lease at some point.

The prospect of dealing with the Athens government is probably a large reason hotels don't bother coming into Athens. Golf courses as well. Really any business at all. What a terrible climate for innovation.

I remember "trying" to basketball in the Armory when I was at O.U.

I say trying,because any shot with an "arc" hit the roof's cross braces or trusses.

In addition to asbestos abatement,there may be another issue with trying to redevelop this site.

The issue is whether the Armory is the property of Athens or the Federal Government.

A few years ago we were doing a highway widening project in North Jersey.
We were supposed to acquire a "strip" of land from a National Guard Armory.
After 9/11 the Federal Government put in all kinds of restrictions on acquiring Federal property.

The time frame the Feds gave us to acquire the property was 10 years.

If the Armory is owned by the Feds or if they have "rights" to it, and the regulations are the same,I wouldn't count on it changing uses.

$650 for a weekend stay at the Super 8 in Athens. Let that sink in for a while.

Most of my trips for weekend football games involve a hotel stay in Columbus near Polaris/ Easton. It is a compromise with my wife. I get football she gets shopping. Usually get back to Y-town Sunday evening.
I don't think Athens can support the type of facility most of you are describing.



I don’t want to die in a Super 8 Motel

Just because somebody’s evening didn’t go so well

That's laughable. Almost makes me want to boycott even going to games.

You can get a hotel on campus in Columbus on Michigan Saturday for less than that.

I don't understand the concept of making the fan experience as awful as humanly possible?

Bad kickoff times ...

Terrible structure to tailgate lots ...

In-game experience is below average at best ...

And you need to donate a kidney to afford hotel pricing to enjoy a football weekend in Athens ...

They make it harder and harder to justify making the trip in when I can just watch us lose to Texas State and Central Michigan in Peden Stadium on TV