Bell Gardens : Builder Wins Hotel Rights

The City Council Monday granted Sam Gilbert & Associates a 90-day exclusive right to negotiate for a proposed hotel development near Eastern and Florence avenues.

The Encino-based company wants to build a 150- to 200-room hotel with banquet facilities south of the Bicycle Club, said Claude Booker, city manager. The company also built the card club, he said.

The city will use a hotel study done by a consultant to address such issues as financial benefits to the city, detailed cost estimates and a marketing program.

He said the city, which wants to attract a major hotel chain, has not yet decided whether it will lease or sell the land to a developer.

A municipal parking lot is to be built near the proposed hotel.