Comment deadline on Fort Lee hotel is Wednesday

The public-comment period ends Wednesday for the environmental assessment of a proposed 1,000-room hotel at Fort Lee.

The U.S. Army has denied a petition from local businesses and members of Congress requesting additional time to review the $114 million project.

Area businesses and community leaders have expressed concern about the impact the 15-story hotel would have on area hotels. Those hotels hoped to gain business from the growth at Fort Lee resulting from the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission process.

Fort Lee agreed in August to move the deadline from Sept. 7 to Oct. 7, giving area residents an additional 30 days to comment on the proposal. Last month, Democratic Sens. Jim Webb and Mark R. Warner and Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-4th, sent a letter to then-Secretary of the Army Pete Geren in support of the 120-day extension that had been requested by a coalition of area businesses.

The Pentagon's response last week, however, stated that the Army sees the 30-day extension of the public-comment period as sufficient for the community to comment on the project.

In a letter, Lt. Gen. Robert Wilson, the assistant chief of staff for installation management and commanding general of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, said the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency have completed their reviews and have provided comments indicating no significant environmental impact associated with the project.

He said the Army has a vital interest in lodging soldiers on-post.

"Lodging soldiers on-post has a positive impact on readiness, force protection, and safety," he wrote. "We appreciate the successful and mutually supportive relationship between Fort Lee and the surrounding communities. As this project proceeds, we will work closely with all parties to facilitate opportunities for local businesses to provide services to soldiers and their families."

The Greater Tri-Cities Hospitality Coalition on Thursday released a statement saying the group was "deeply disappointed" by the army's decision.

"The Coalition continues to call on an open, public information process, and a comprehensive economic impact assessment executed according to a reasonable timetable," the statement said. "The ramifications of this massive project have yet to be calculated, but they will affect hundreds of businesses and thousands of employees and area residents for decades."

After Wednesday, the Fort Lee Environmental Management Office will put together a final draft of the environmental assessment of the project, which will include the comments received. Fort Lee's garrison commander, Col. Mike Morrow, will then approve the draft and send it to Congress.

Congressional approval is necessary before the Army can begin the bidding process. Fort Lee officials said they hope construction will start this year and project the hotel opening in 2012.

Contact Luz Lazo at (804) 649-6058 or .