Ribbon cutting for new Holiday Inn downtown in Alexandria

As the city of Alexandria works to revitalize downtown, businesses are starting to boom again.

What was once known as the old Fulton Hotel has changed management and is now officially open under a new name.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the new Holiday Inn on Thursday night to celebrate it's future in the community.

Offerings inside the hotel include an Eddie's Barbeque and seafood restaurant, the Levee Bar, and also a Body Tao Spa that features yoga, massages, and a hair salon. It has 168 rooms and a very large convention hall that recently held the Louisiana Municipal Association's mega conference.

Jay Sharplin, managing partner of the new Holiday Inn said, "I think it's important to central Louisiana that we're really the premiere flagship hotel now of the middle of the state and we feel that we can get a lot of people from all over Louisiana to come see what we've got and have a good time"

The hotel has worked hard on renovations and they are excited to show the community everything they now offer.