SANDPOINT — Averill Hospitality’s Ben McGrann told the Daily Bee that the company is now targeting a summer 2028 grand opening for its new lakeside hotel.

Sandpoint’s Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to extend the company's conditional use permit and zoning variance for the initial plan Tuesday, giving them more time before the building permit phase.  

Bill Dean, Sandpoint’s city planner, said that the company has been meeting with the city numerous times to get the design in-line with what the city requires. 

“I think the reasons for the delay were pretty well outlined by Bill,” McGrann said. “This is a pretty complex project. It’s taken us awhile for the design to meet those requirements.” 

Previously, Averill had been targeting a summer demolition of the Edgewater Resort and an opening in the summer of 2027. Now, if everything goes to plan, McGrann said that Averill will begin demolition in fall or possibly early winter of this year. 

The new 56 Bridge St. hotel will feature 99 hotel rooms, 31 independently owned units, an event center, two restaurants, and other amenities. McGrann said that the number of factors in the project has been a significant factor in the delays. 

Dean said at the July 23 meeting that Averill is “very near” to submitting building permits, but that they have not done so. Averill cannot start demolition on the current Edgewater without those permits.