Folsom residents watch as a new addition rises at the Palladio shopping center—a 130-room AC Hotel by Marriott. The five-story, 85,000+ square foot hotel will include executive suites, meeting rooms, a fitness center, and other amenities. Developed by Insignia Hospitality Group, it's the largest expansion at the center since it opened in 2010. According to the City of Folsom Planning Department, the hotel fits into the site’s intended use under the city's master plan.
Scrutiny of the project unearthed that the hotel's placement was no fluke; rather, it was part of broad-stroke city planning. The planning aligns with Palladio's European aesthetic and is meant to further the city's holistic vision for the area. It replaces a section of parking space, but city planners have been addressing public concerns on traffic and parking. A required traffic study illuminated potential peak-hour impacts, leading to strategic roadway improvements to prevent a future of bumper-to-bumper frustration. The hotel will also boast its own parking to keep the burden off local streets and lots.
As for community concerns, the planning department has been on hand to assuage fears and expound benefits. Beyond the aesthetic value and practical facilities for visitors, the hotel is touted as an economic boon. "Hotels bring local economic benefits, including transient occupancy tax (TOT) revenue that supports public services," explains the City of Folsom Planning Department, noting also the spill-over effects expected for local restaurants, retail, and tourism establishments. The community is looking at this as an increase in jobs and a bolstering of the Palladio as a go-to destination.
