Maricopa is one step closer to dreams of becoming a tourist destination. Or at least a more-than-one hotel town. 

After teasing a hotel along Maricopa-Casa Grande Highway last year, Maryland-based Marriott International has decided to throw its hat in the ring, according to documents obtained by InMaricopa this week.

The brand submitted preliminary plans to construct a TownePlace Suites by Marriott hotel immediately east of the proposed Buffalo Wild Wings and north of Jiffy Lube and Taco Bell.

The four-story upscale extended stay brand would have 111 rooms, with about 60% of them set up as studios with small kitchens. One-quarter of the rooms will have two queen beds and the remaining 15% will consist of connecting suites.

Because of the building’s height, a project narrative submitted in the paperwork stated it would need to “proceed with a rezoning in order to be able to construct a building with a potential height of 42 feet.” The maximum commercial building height is limited to 40 feet, according to city code.  

The remaining details are humdrum so far: the site will have 106 parking spaces, along with up to eight electric vehicle charging stations. It will also have a pool and a small picnic area.

Marriott indicated it hopes to break ground “by 1Q next year,” but it’s a lengthy process to even get to that point — developers would still need to obtain rezoning and plan approval from city staff, the Planning and Zoning Commission and Maricopa City Council, as well as obtain all the permits required before a shovel hits the ground.