Main Street Properties, the developers of the 300 East Main Street redevelopment project, now expect to break ground around the first of the year.

Partner Laura Van Sant says construction of the hotel -- one of five buildings planned for the shopping center that houses the Cat's Cradle and The ArtsCenter -- should take place in early 2010. Developers had previously said the project might begin in the second half of this year.

The hotel would be a Hampton Inn or Hilton Garden Inn. Van Sant they are leaning to a Hampton Inn.

The developers have also requested a meeting with town of Carrboro staff to see if the town would like to lease spaces in the planned parking deck. The deck will have more spaces than tenants need in the early stages of the project, Van Sant said.