A site plan with preliminary conceptual drawings for the new Courtyard by Marriott was approved by Rome’s Redevelopment Committee on Thursday, however more detailed drawings will have to be submitted in order for closing on the sale of the property to take place today.

David Doss, a principal with Samson Developers, said that should not be a problem for project architect Rick Standard.

Rome City Attorney Andy Davis also told Doss that a master plan, which would be an appendix to deed records, needs more detailed measurements.

Duke Hospitality will be acquiring 1.54 acres while Samson Developers will be getting 0.60 of an acre in the first phase of the West Third Street redevelopment.

The hotel will sit on top of a two-level parking deck. Preliminary plans call for a motor lobby at the West Third Street level with an elevator that would take guests to the first floor, which will be level with the top of the levee. The first floor will feature the main lobby, restaurant, bar, approximately 2,500 square feet of meeting space, a pool and fitness room.

The parking deck elevator would not have direct access to the second, third and fourth floors, which will house guest rooms.

J.P. Singh, with Duke Hospitality said last week that the hotel would include between 101 and 105 rooms. Singh said he expects to break ground on the Rome project this fall and be open by the middle of summer 2014.

Doss told the committee that his project would feature a two-story building on the west side of the property, perpendicular to the Oostanaula River levee and West Third Street.

The first floor is planned to accommodate a restaurant and several retail parcels. Doss said he plans for loft type apartments to occupy the second story.

“Those lofts will be pre-sold before you build them,” predicted the committee chairman, City Commissioner Kim Canada.

Doss said he hasn’t had much of a chance to market his outparcel but it has already attracted some interest from potential restaurant companies.

“I think this is a wonderful plan,” said Evie Mc­Niece, Rome’s mayor.

Doss said he expects the project to enhance Rome’s downtown district. “Our downtown has been constrained by the rivers for years,” he said. “Once you breach that river with the pedestrian bridge and you do something on West Third, that really becomes the new downtown.”