"This new hotel represents a new commitment to the future of Ottawa," Mayor Robert Eschbach told participants during official groundbreaking ceremonies for the new Fairfield Inn & Suites staged in the bitter cold Thursday morning.

Situated near the intersection of Route 23 and Etna Road, the hotel, for which construction began in October, is the anchor of a six-acre development plat that already has attracted an announced new restaurant — Culver's.

With the mayor at the groundbreaking were City Council members, representatives of Janko Financial Group, members of the Ottawa Chamber of Commerce and officials from Peak Construction, general contractor of the project.

The new hotel will be the third Janko Financial Group has developed in the Ottawa market in the past 15 years. Dick Janko of Peru and his son, Michael Janko, said they have developed more than 15 hotels in a three-state area and are responsible for many other commercial developments within La Salle County.

Janko Financial Group currently operates the Holiday Inn Express and Hampton Inn in Ottawa, all of which are managed by Janko Hospitality based in Downers Grove.

Mark Janko of Janko Realty in Peru and Larry Bianchi of Janko Development Co. LLC facilitated the original purchase of the land while the firm of Etscheid, Duttlinger & Associates of Ottawa provided the site plan and other civil engineering design services.

Besides the hotel and Culver's, there are adjacent lots available for other restaurants and/or service-type businesses.

Once completed, the three-story Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott will feature 84 guest rooms including 15 large suites with expanded work areas. Each room will have 32-inch high-definition LCD televisions, in-room coffee makers, full-size irons and ironing boards and cable with free HBO.

Additional amenities for guests include free daily expanded continental breakfast serving hot items such as eggs or biscuits and gravy; business center for computer use with a copy/fax machine available; an indoor swimming pool with a six-person whirlpool; a fitness room with treadmills; a conference room capable of seating up to 30; a guest laundry; and a snack shop featuring candy, soft drinks and convenience items.

Following the brief ceremony, Dick Janko spoke of his excitement to have yet another hotel open in Ottawa and said the facilities are expected to generate more than $200,000 a year in real estate and pillow taxes to the community.

Eschbach agreed. He said he also is pleased the Marriott would soon be adding Ottawa's name in its marketing promotions.

"This new Marriott hotel will give the city much exposure and will help us to attract more tourism to our area," he said.

The hotel, now ahead of schedule for a summer 2010 opening, is expected to employ nearly 30 people.