By George P. Hassett

A hotel is coming to Davis Square. But don’t worry, city officials promise the development will replace and create as much parking as possible in the already congested square.

This week Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the city will solicit developers interested in building a hotel and a public parking garage on one or more city-owned parcels in Davis Square – the Buena Vista parking garage at 56A Holland St., the Day Street parking lot and the Grove Street parking lot next to the Community Path.

Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz said, ‚ÄúIt’s very important that whoever bids on this project understands that this will be a community process and they will need to build that component directly into their plan.‚Äù

An advisory committee – made up of staff from the Mayor’s Office, the Purchasing Department, the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, two community representatives, Gewirtz and Alderman At Large John M. Connolly — will evaluate applications and make recommendations to Curtatone. The mayor will then select up to three developers to participate in the Request for Proposals (RFP) process.

“Davis Square is home to a thriving business district and the creation of a hotel with a public parking garage will be key to the economic growth and continued success of this area. The RFQ and subsequent processes will also allow us to identify a developer who will engage in a public process with all of the stakeholders in Davis Square,” Curtatone said.