An established hotelier with several properties already operating in the Tri-Cities plans to open a new hotel in south Richland, near the Fairchild Cinemas at Queensgate.

Kam Sahota, founder and chief executive officer of Eternal Hotels, said construction is expected to start around November of this year. The hotel will be dual brand with 130 rooms — a mix of limited-service and extended-stay. The project price tag is estimated at $20 million to $22 million.

Construction is expected to take about 12 to 14 months.

An upper-level limited-service hotel also eventually is planned for the same swath of land, which Sahota said will be divided into three plots. A limited-service hotel is one that offers solely rooms, versus a full-service hotel with restaurants and other in-house dining and event space.

Sahota owns about 5 acres next to the movie theater, between Lincoln Landing, Keene Road and Interstate 182.

He also plans a restaurant at the site.

Sahota said he can’t release more details about his plans at this time, but he looks forward to bringing the projects to Richland. The land is visible off the interstate and in an area of growth.

“We’re pretty excited about it,” he said. “There is a lot of opportunity and there is a need for it.”

He estimates hiring about 25-30 employees for the first hotel.

Sahota also owns additional hotels in Washington and other states, including the Pasco Red Lion, the Sleep Inn in Pasco, Best Western in Kennewick and Comfort Inn Columbia Center.

He expects to seek permits for the first new hotel soon.