Construction Has Begun: New Hotel on Canyon Rim By Twin Falls Visitor Center

I know there are going to be opinions about this for at least two reasons: this hotel is going to be on the Canyon Rim and it’s in the same area as the still-under-construction In-N-Out Burger. A lot of people are already upset with the prospect of the additional fast food traffic in that area and now the hotel could take additional parking space from current businesses.

And it’s going to block the view of the canyon...or is it?

What is the Big Building Going Up Behind the Twin Falls Visitor Center

I was at the Twin Falls Visitor Center checking on a few different story ideas when I saw construction work happening behind the visitor center. I asked the worker at the visitor center and she said it was going to be a hotel, but wasn’t sure what kind. I requested the meeting notes from the city and found out a few interesting things about the location and construction plans.

Keep scrolling to see pictures of the current construction progress and the building plans.

First, the building is mostly only referred to as ‘Hotel Property’ in the notes and records, but during one of the planning meetings it was revealed to be a Hilton, Home to Suites with 124 rooms. Special permission was given to increase the maximum allowed height of the hotel and the distance it will be from the canyon rim. The hotel will be around 55 feet tall (four levels/floors) while other buildings in the area have maximum heights of 35 feet. City Code states that buildings should be a minimum of 100 feet from the canyon, but the hotel was given permission to build within 50 feet.

Second, the planning meetings for the hotel hit an interesting bump when it was revealed that the plot of land had already been approved or considered for other uses over the years, though nothing was ever built. One of those plans included a 10 story hotel with a convention center in 2007. It was determined that enough time had passed with no progress that the new hotel plans supersede the previous consideration.

Construction Has Begun: New Hotel on Canyon Rim By Twin Falls Visitor Center

Another interesting thing that came up in the P&Z meeting was regarding parking for the hotel. This was raised as a concern by board members and residents. It was revealed that the hotel will use some of the existing parking in the shopping center as the spots are meant for use by all buildings in the area. The construction plans do show a few additional parking spots near the building.

Another thing worth noting is that this hotel was approved before In-N-Out had been discussed, so congestion in the area was less of an issue during the planning meetings in 2019. Swig and Mo Betta's were also absent from the aerial parking plan when the idea was submitted.

The hotel is being built between the visitor center and Petco. During the Planning and Zoning meetings regarding the construction of a hotel on the Canyon Rim, it ruining the view was brought up a few times. Sure, it will if you are 200 feet from the canyon, but if you are actually looking to see the canyon, you should go to the trail that runs along the canyon. At that point, the hotel is no longer a visual issue.

Geological concerns were raised, whether building something that large near the canyon was safe. Studies were claimed to show that there was no danger in building the hotel in that area and within 50 feet of the rim.

READ MORE: This Link Contains All The Information I Was Given Regarding The Hotel Construction And Plans