WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - Harmony Hospitality, a property management group that wanted to bring a large hotel to Carolina Beach, is changing its plans.
The group hosted public meetings to receive community feedback.
Community members were opposed to the idea of a 100-foot-tall Embassy Suites that would have been built where the SeaWitch Tiki Bar Cafe is in Carolina Beach.
The general manager at Embassy Suites in Wilmington says they're open to changes.
"After the feedback we've got from the last meeting there were some concerns with the height. We went back to the drawing board and try to figure out how we can incorporate the same amenities but still try to satisfy a lot of the community's concern when it comes to size and height," says Zach Brigman.
Instead of a 100-foot-tall Embassy Suites, they are now proposing a 66-foot-tall SpringHill Suites. The new design would look similar to the SpringHill Suites in Orange Beach, Alabama.
While the hotel is smaller in size, Brigman says these new plans allow for the SeaWitch and meeting facilities on the ocean.
"Our plan is to take the Seawitch and move it to the Oceanfront so the Seawitch would be direct Ocean facing but still keep the same concept of the Seawitch, still keep a lot of the same menu items but also bring a more enhanced menu," says Brigman.
The popular bar and café could still be home to many locals and visitors.
A SeaWitch Café employee says they're excited and looking forward to a new location.
"I'm just glad they're going to keep this place open and it's going to be cool that it's right beside the beach. I just hope they keep some of the awesome atmosphere that this place have and the architecture and all of that," says Phlip Tipton.
Brigman sees this as a win-win for the developers and the community,
"That's why we went back to the drawing board and kind of all make it happen for everyone to try to get something that everyone is going to be proud of," says Brigman.
Brigman says they're still in the planning phases, and it would be a few more steps before they present it in front ofthe town council.
They're also working on putting together a website to help keep the community informed about updates.