Today’s groundbreaking is a milestone in the history of CAN DO, Greater Hazleton’s economic development corporation, as Humboldt Station is the organization’s first commercial land development project.

“This is the first of what is expected to be 11 groundbreakings for projects inside Humboldt Station,” said E. Thomas Sandrock, CAN DO’s chairman of the board. “When completed, Humboldt Station should include another hotel, several restaurants and a gas station/convenience store.”

J&J Partners of Williamsport, developers of the new Residence Inn project at Humboldt Station, also own and manage the Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott in Hazleton, as well as five other hotel properties in Wilkes-Barre and Williamsport.

J&J President James Bower said the project is expected to take nearly a year to complete. “When we open next April, this facility will offer 93 beautiful extended-stay suites equipped with full kitchens, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, separate living room and bedrooms, high speed internet access and much more.”

Bower spoke of his company’s success with managing hotel properties. “Our Fairfield Inn and Suites in Williamsport was just rated number one for customer satisfaction throughout the entire Fairfield chain in North America and it was our Hazleton Fairfield Inn and Suites that finished second. We are very proud that we had the number one and two properties in the chain,” he said, pointing out that there are 2,600 Fairfield properties throughout North America.

D. J. Meagher, vice president of J&J Partners, provided further description of the project. “When completed, this Residence Inn will feature an indoor swimming pool, tennis and basketball courts and a state-of-the-art fitness center. We will have 32-inch plasma televisions in each suite and a conference center that will accommodate up to 50 people,” he said.

“Our 93 suites will be available to guests who want to spend one night or stay for six months. This will be a great addition for Humboldt Industrial Park, travelers on Interstate 81 and for the Greater Hazleton community as well,” Meagher said.

CAN DO President W. Kevin O’Donnell spoke about the Humboldt Station project. “This is CAN DO’s first venture into a commercial project and we’re very excited about today’s groundbreaking. Humboldt Station will provide a wonderful dining and lodging addition to our region while also capturing revenue from Interstate 81 travelers. Equally important is that this center will provide restaurants and hotels for industries in our ever-growing Humboldt Industrial Park. It’s our hope that some day the adjacent site will include shopping as well.” O’Donnell thanked everyone who has worked on the Humboldt Station project. “This project began several years ago and has taken a lot of work by our engineers, operations staff, economic development staff, attorneys, marketing department, facilities staff and board of directors to bring this project to where it has come today. “We need to thank Hazle Township, the Luzerne County Commissioners, the Hazleton Area School District, PPL Utilities, and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for all their support. In fact, it was nearly a year and a half ago when Governor Rendell was standing here presenting us with a loan for $2.77 million to help fund the infrastructure needed for this project.”

O’Donnell also thanked Lincoln Property Company who is marketing the available sites at Humboldt Station. To locate a business in Humboldt Station, email Lincoln Property at humboldtstation@lpc.com.