Derek Felch, general manager of the Hampton Inn, said the 20-year old hotel is getting a new facade, and every room will be getting new carpet, new furniture, more outlets and several other additions.

“The outside will have a totally different appearance, and basically everything in the rooms will too,” Felch said.

The renovation is part of a process the hotel is going through to be re-licensed as a Hampton Inn. The Hampton chain has a new initiative called “Forever Young” that requires Hampton hotels to revamp their look to include more modern furniture, more storage spaces for guests, an exterior that uses more LED lighting and other modern accents.

Renderings for the Lawrence project aren’t yet available, but here’s a look at some general renderings of the new style that Hampton is promoting. (Renderings courtesy of Hampton’s website.)

I particularly like the one that highlights the saying “It’s a good day for a good day.” I try to promote that type of positivity early in the mornings at my house, and then I often find myself picking muffin out of my nose.

As for a timeline for the Hampton project, Felch said he expects work to last until late fall.

The Hampton project is just the latest Lawrence hotel project. Work is underway to convert the former Lawrence Holidome into a Doubletree by Hilton. That large hotel also is operating at less than full capacity this weekend due to the renovations. We’ve also reported that plans are in the works for a new hotel — perhaps a Fairfield Inn — near Sixth and Iowa streets, where the Ramada Inn used to be. Those projects are in addition to the new Marriott that has opened in the last year in downtown Lawrence. I also understand the SpringHill Suites by Marriott along the Kansas River in downtown has completed some renovations. I also hear at least one other hotel renovation may take place along south Iowa Street. I’ll let you know if that turns into reality.

Felch said the hotel business in Lawrence certainly is becoming more competitive.

“I think people see the rates on the weekends and see the demand for rooms on the weekends, and they think there is more room for other hotels in Lawrence,” Felch said. “I’m not sure I agree with that, but that is what is happening.”

Felch said weekend business has been good in Lawrence, but he said the market still struggles with filling rooms Sunday through Thursday night.

In other news and notes from around town:

• KU isn’t the only place where learning is happening in the community. The new vocational education center Peaslee Tech is continuing to expand. The vo-tech near 31st and Haskell is adding a new laboratory for a heating and cooling technician degree.

Peaslee Tech — which is a joint venture between area development groups, the city, the county and the chamber of commerce — is holding a ribbon cutting 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the school site at 2920 Haskell Ave. to unveil the new laboratory.

The new laboratory was primarily funded through a donation from the Smitty Belcher family. Belcher is the CEO of P1 Group Inc., a large mechanical, electrical and construction services firm that has a large office in Lawrence.

The size of the donation wasn’t disclosed.

Peaslee Tech officially opened its doors last fall, with about 150 students enrolling in technical training classes. The facility has had lab space for construction and manufacturing degrees, but lacked lab space for HVAC degrees.

The HVAC program is taught through a partnership with Neosho County Community College.

Town Talk column