Caldwell council approves development agreement for hotel on Event Center property after contentious debate

The Caldwell City Council on Tuesday approved a development agreement with AGA Ventures LLC to lease roughly 3.14 acres of city-owned land at 104 North 20 First Avenue for a dual‑branded TownePlace Suites and Fairfield Inn, voting 4–2 after more than two hours of presentations, public comment and council debate.

Supporters, including council members and city staff, said the hotel would add rooms and local spending that benefit restaurants, shops and event venues. Opponents questioned whether the city’s leases with the College of Idaho, the Caldwell Night Rodeo and Canyon County Fair give the city the authority to lease the same parking areas, and they said the process felt rushed.

City staff presented a timeline of negotiations and a conceptual parking plan for the Caldwell Event Center, and outlined economic projections from a January 2025 Oxford study that staff said showed lodging can support local jobs and generate spending in the community. Steve Jenkins, a city project lead, told council the developer provided a financial acknowledgement letter from Heritage Bank and that the draft development agreement requires evidence of financing within 30 days after approval of construction documents.

Councilor [Williams] moved to approve the resolution authorizing execution of the development agreement; the motion was seconded and passed 4–2. Two council members voted in opposition during the final tally. The mayor presided over the meeting; the mayor’s given name was not specified in the public transcript.

Why it matters: Councilors and staff framed the hotel as a…