(KAIR)--A major step forward for the future hotel to be located in downtown Atchison.

That comes in the form of a ceremonial groundbreaking to be held later this month.

According to a press release from the developer, Atchison Hospitality Group, the ceremony is planned for 11:30 on the morning of Friday, September 23, at the future hotel site, located near 4th and Main Street, in downtown Atchison. It will be located in a portion of the existing municipal parking lot, sold, by city leadership, for the purpose of the project.

According to the press release, sitework will begin in October, and construction is expected to take around 10 months.

The opening of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites Hotel is anticipated to happen in the later summer, or early fall of 2017.

A development agreement between the City of Atchison, and the developer was approved by the Atchison City Commission on February 17.

On March 6, it was announced that Intercontinental Hotels Group had approved the franchise application authorizing the hotel to be a Holiday Inn Express and Suites.

The four-star, 68 room hotel will feature an indoor pool, business center, fitness center, and a small conference room.