Concept plans for a 125-room hotel and 68-unit apartment building adjacent to the mixed-use village were submitted recently to the town.

According to a news release, the Community Design Commission will review the proposal Sept. 26, and the Town Council will review it Oct. 15.

The development would have two streetfronts: one on U.S. 15-501 South and the other facing Barksdale Drive in the Southern Village Apartment District.

Bryan said he is meeting with hotel owner-operators about an upscale facility with parking below the buildings, driveways only along the highway and building heights similar to the Village Center.

The project would replace 1960s-era rental housing and be opposite the proposed Obey Creek development. The Obey Creek plan includes 600 rental units and a 130-room hotel, in addition to retail and office space.

“A hotel would be a very important third anchor business for the Village Center, joining Weaver Street Market and The Lumina Theater, our existing anchors. This hotel and apartment project will support the existing restaurants and businesses on Market Street,” Bryan said.

He also proposed a hotel in late 2008 for an existing parking lot in the Village Center. That plan met with opposition from residents and was postponed.

The developers learned from that experience and took the idea for the new hotel from a resident that objected to the first plan, Bryan said.

The hotel would be a two-block walk from Market Street shops and restaurants, and also would be near Chapel Hill Transit stops and the Southern Village park-and-ride lot.

Southern Village marketing and events coordinator Bev Carr said she gets a lot of calls from people looking for a hotel near the university, UNC Hospitals or while visiting friends and family in the area.

“The fact that it would be close to public transit is a huge plus,” Carr said.

Bryan said his team is meeting with residents and business owners about the project and plans to launch a website with more details in mid-September.