Abdul Lala is expected today to unveil plans to build a $30 million hotel in downtown Meridian.

Lala, president of Lala Enterprises, owns five hotels in Meridian and is building a sixth. He hopes to build a seventh, complete with banquet facilities, downtown between Sixth and Fifth streets and 23rd and 25th Avenues.

He is expected to announce the specifics of his plans at a 8 a.m. news conference today at Quality Inn.

Reports about the proposed Threefoot building renovation project have been in the news for months. But Lala said he will not be able to build his hotel — a Hyatt Place franchise hotel — if the city goes ahead with the planned Threefoot project. Lala’s project will not require city funds, unlike the $14 million proposed to come from the city to help restore the Threefoot building, Lala said.

And Lala said downtown isn’t ready for two major hotels downtown.

Lala’s hotel will be a 7 or 8 story Hyatt Place with about 135 rooms, on site parking, and a banquet hall capable of seating 1,000. Other amenities Lala hopes to provide include a restaurant, a Starbucks coffee shop, and a Meridian-themed gift shop.

If constructed, the convention center will be located on 23rd Avenue between Fifth and Sixth streets, bordering the south and east walls of the police station.

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