Hotel likely to pay dividends

Bill Chiusano is confident that if the old Oconee Courthouse eventually is turned into a hotel, the Walhalla Civic Auditorium can help fill the rooms with guests.  Chiusano, auditorium executive director, is pleased to endorse the effort by developers Herb Witter and Tom Markovich to acquire the financing they’ll need to rehabilitate the old courthouse into a hotel.  One hurdle was met Friday during a meeting at the state Department of Archives and History.  The advantages of the auditorium booking stays at the hotel are not the only benefit seen by Chiusano.  He believes some of those guests will walk the three-block distance between hotel and auditorium and take the time to frequent Main Street businesses, such as the restaurants.  He also thinks this would encourage new businesses to locate in some of Main Street’s empty building because the sign of a healthy relationship between hotel and auditorium is an advantage to the prospective businessman who wants the ability to sustain his business.  The auditorium offers shows and other fare that fill up 39 weekends out a year, and those venues attract spectators and music entertainers and other performers who need a place to stay.  According to Chiusano, the auditorium has had a good relationship with a couple of Seneca’s nicer motels, but the addition of a Walhalla hotel would be a great benefit to those who want to stay local.