ASHEVILLE - Developer Tony Fraga's company wants to build a hotel in the Westgate Shopping Center off Patton Avenue. FIRC Group has asked the city's Technical Review Committee for approval of a 92-room Country Inn & Suites in a four-story building at 40 Westgate Parkway. The new hotel would face Interstate 240/Patton Avenue. It would be built on the southern end of the shopping center between Cliff Street and the new TCBY, said Blake Esselstyn, an urban planner with the city. That side of the shopping center is opposite the side where grocery store Earthfare is located. "It's a very good location," Fraga said. Fraga said the New Belgium brewery under construction in the River Arts District would create more demand for hotel rooms on that end of town.

On a 5-0 vote, the city Planning and Zoning Commission approved plans for a Cambria Suites hotel at the northeast corner of the intersection of Battery Park and Page avenues, across the street from the Grove Arcade.

Three business expansions in 2014 are anticipated to have a major effect on commerce and development in Asheville. Two of which are new locations of franchises Whole Foods and Hennes & Mauritz, or H&M, and the third is a partnership between local developer Tony Fraga and national chain Choice Hotels' John Tierny to build a fourteen-story hotel downtown.

ROCKVILLE, Md. — Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), one of the world's largest hotel companies, announced it has signed an agreement with franchise partner FIRC Group, Inc., to develop a new Cambria Suites in Asheville, N.C. The 141-room Cambria Suites property will be located at the intersection of Battery Park and Page Avenue and is expected to open in 2017.

We continue to experience strong momentum in bringing the Cambria Suites experience to new travelers in new markets, and we're excited to open our second hotel in North Carolina," said Michael Murphy, senior vice president, Upscale Brands, Choice Hotels International. "The FIRC Group is a phenomenal partner with decades of experience, so we're confident they'll deliver the Cambria experience at its best - stylish, modern comfort at a great value.

Led by Antonio Fraga, Sr., FIRC Group, Inc. has more than 30 years of extensive development experience and a strong presence in the Asheville market. The company owns the Haywood Park Hotel, along with several major retail operations and successful restaurants.