Savannah's Chatham County is going back to "sqaure one" when it comes to studies of a controversial hotel project.

County commissioners are funding a new round of analysis into the feasibility of a convention hotel.

Building a new hotel near Savannah's convention center has divided the city's hospitality community.

Some hotel owners believe the public-private project will eat into their bookings while others believe it'll boost their revenue.

County Commissioner Patrick Shay says it's time independent researchers answered the contentious question.

"Given the fact that the original studies are a year old now anyway and because these doubts have been raised, what we should do is hire a third party to review the studies that have already been completed and update those," Shay says.

County officials expect the new review to be complete before January when newly-elected commissioners will take a fresh look at the hotel.

"I think the more important thing is that these independent and unbiased studies finally at long last actually be completed and become part of the homework that anybody might do in the future," Shay says.

The project has been on hold for a year a year while commissioners have debated their support.

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