Door County boutique hotel breaks ground

MADISON, WI. DEC. 3, 2019 – Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) deputy secretary Sam Rikkers will be on hand today at noon, along with developers and state and local officials, for a groundbreaking on the new Dörr Hotel in Sister Bay.

The Dörr Hotel project is Door County’s first hotel development in nearly 20 years, and is intended to complete the Sister Bay downtown area by developing a lot that has been vacant for more than nine years. The new boutique hotel consists of 47 rooms and 4,300 square feet of retail space.

WEDC is supporting the $8.1 million project with a $250,000 Community Development Investment Grant. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2021 and to provide full-time employment for 10 to 15 employees.

“A vibrant downtown is vital to a community’s overall economic success, and the Dörr Hotel will play a key role in attracting more visitors to downtown Sister Bay to enjoy the many amenities the village has to offer,” said Sam Rikkers, deputy secretary and chief operating officer of WEDC. “I applaud the community for working together on this important project that will serve as a foundation for future economic growth.”

According to a press release from the developer, Bayland Buildings Inc., the new hotel will replace the 45-unit Helm’s Four Season Hotel that was located on the water at the current site of the bandshell and Sister Bay public beach. The project will fill the need for additional hotel units since this loss.

“For the past dozen years, the Village of Sister Bay has been executing a progressive plan to enhance the vibrancy of the community, and the results have been unmistakable,” said Door County Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Jim Schuessler. “Not only is the addition of Dörr Hotel the next logical step toward continuous enhancement of the community, but the hotel will in many ways serve as the centerpiece for Sister Bay’s growing four-season economy.”

The new hotel will transform Sister Bay and will likely garner significant attention from both Door County familiar visitors and new visitors alike, spurring economic growth and support for local businesses. Its position in the heart of downtown eliminates the hassles of driving and parking for the weekend traveler. The availability of a new lodging option that is open year-round should also benefit local retail businesses by drawing more shoppers during the low season.

The Dörr Hotel website will begin taking reservations in the spring of 2020 to secure stays for dates in 2021. As construction is completed, earlier reservation dates will be added.

WEDC’s Community Development Investment Grant Program supports community development and redevelopment efforts, primarily in downtown areas. The matching grants are awarded based on the ability of applicants to demonstrate the economic impact of the proposed project, including public and private partnership development, financial need and use of sustainable downtown development practices.

Since the program’s inception in 2013, WEDC has awarded more than $24 million in Community Development Investment Grants to 101 communities for projects expected to generate more than $500 million in capital investments statewide.

About the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation
The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) leads economic development efforts for the state by advancing and maximizing opportunities in Wisconsin for businesses, communities and people to thrive in a globally competitive environment. Working with more than 600 regional and local partners, WEDC develops and delivers solutions representative of a highly responsive and coordinated economic development network. Visit wedc.org or follow WEDC on Twitter @WEDCNews to learn more.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.