Atlanta airport terminal hotel project moving forward

A project to build an InterContinental hotel within steps of Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport's domestic terminal is moving forward.

The hotel will be a high-profile addition to the airport's amenities. It will be located steps outside the domestic terminal, just outside the west exit doors where taxis and shuttles pick up passengers.

Airport officials see the project -- including a hotel and c0mmercial development with office space, as well as a separate gas station at the airport -- as a way to generate more revenue.

The Atlanta City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve the measure.

The project had been on hold for several months, and more due diligence is expected, including a review by the Federal Aviation Administration. The project has been under review for potential interference with radar and air traffic procedures.

Construction is expected to begin in late 2017 or early 2018 and take 36 months to complete, according to the airport.

Under the lease deal, Majestic Carter Atlanta Mixed Use LLC will invest $250 million to develop the hotel, office space and travel plaza on 26.5 acres next to the airport terminal. Majestic Carter is a partnership of Majestic Realty Co., real estate firm Carter and GPM Investments LLC.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution previously reported that the project architect for the proposed 11-story, 440-room hotel is John Portman & Associates. Portman, InterContinental and Carter all have roots in Atlanta.

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