BUENA PARK : Hotel to Rise Where Alligators Dwelt

The site of the old Alligator Farm, once home to the city’s collection of reptiles, will now be home to tourists.

In a unanimous decision, the City Council this week approved development plans submitted by Michael and Nancy Perley of Huntington Beach, owners of the La Palma Avenue property, for a 205-room Radisson Suites hotel on the site, which has been vacant for several years.

“We don’t have the seals and alligators any more, but we will have the people,” said Mayor Don R. Griffin. “It is an excellent project.”

Located on 3.86 acres on the north side of La Palma Avenue, the hotel will be in the so-called entertainment corridor, the main thoroughfare where the city’s major tourist attractions are housed. It is across the street from Knott’s Berry Farm and within the Heritage Village area, which has a turn-of-the-century motif.

The project was brought before the council a year ago, but its approval was delayed by several modifications to the plan, including adding more rooms to the hotel and expanding its restaurant. All the changes were approved Monday night.

“We believe that what we have is an upgrading of the previous project,” said Robert Odle, a representative of the builders.

Although the project was given rave reviews by the council, there were still a few concerns expressed. Because the hotel offers suites, council members raised questions about whether guests could move in permanently. They also asked for a commitment from Radisson not to pull out of the deal.

“We are all concerned that we maintain the quality of the Radisson,” Councilman Donald L. Bone said.

The development agreement addresses those concerns and provides the city with controls over many aspects of the business, Assistant City Atty. Andrew V. Arczynski told the council. The agreement gives the city the right to review performance standards and project characteristics, and also requires council approval for a change in ownership, he said.

The developers are currently in negotiations with three banks to secure loans for the project. No starting date for construction has been set.