Salem Waterfront Hotel is planning a large expansion

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SALEM — The owners of the Salem Waterfront Hotel will file expansion plans in the fall that essentially will double the size of the current facility, a lawyer for the hotel said.

Attorney Joseph Correnti, who represents the Rockett family, the hotel owners, told the city's Licensing Board that "a lot has happened" recently on Phase 2 plans that have been on hold for the past four years.

The Rocketts have hired an architect, met with consultants and are ready to go forward on the plan to erect a similar-size building next to the current 86-room hotel, Correnti said.

"We expect to be in permitting this fall," he said.

In 2007, the Rocketts announced plans to build a $7 million, six-story building along the South River inlet on Pickering Wharf. It would have hotel rooms on the lower floors, condominiums on the upper floors, meeting and function rooms, and a connecting glass walkway.

The new addition will have a restaurant facing the waterfront that would replace the pub at the Salem Waterfront Hotel, Correnti told the board.

Michael Rockett, a principal, has been called before the Licensing Board twice this year to update them on the status of an inactive liquor license he plans to use for the hotel addition.

Earlier this year, he said the project had been delayed by the economy and probate issues following his father's death in 2009.

Last month, the probate issues appeared to get more complicated when Rockett's 71-year-old mother filed a lawsuit against him and his brother, Richard, over distribution of funds from a trust left by their father.

After the meeting, Correnti was asked whether the family legal battle could affect the timing of the hotel project. "Not so far," he said.

Work or Play at the Salem Waterfront Hotel - Salem. Still making ...

Coming to work?  You will find luxurious guestrooms and great meeting space options.  The Sales office is running a special right now - stop by for a tour of the property, and receive a $25 gift card to the Regatta Pub, just for stopping by!  And if you book an event, you will get another - bigger - gift card to the Regatta Pub! Events costing $500-$1,000 will earn you a $50 gift card, and events over $1,000 have a $100 gift card reward.  Gift cards for booked events will be sent to you the day after our event.  This offer is good only until April 30, 2011, so now is the time to consider the Salem Waterfront Hotel & Marina for your next meeting!  Call the sales office at 978-619-1115 to schedule a tour or book your meeting.

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