By Diana Baldwin, Staff WriterEDMOND — Construction on Edmond’s new hotel and conference center is expected to start early next year. Planning commissioners approved the site plan Tuesday. The 130,033-square-foot building, a joint public-private project, will be constructed on the northeast corner of Sooner Road and Covell Road. “Because it is a public-private project, we will have to go through the competitive bidding process,” said Clay Coldiron, of Covell Partners in Development and project manager. There have been discussions in Edmond for more than a decade about the need for a convention or conference center. The city decided two years ago to put up $11 million to help develop a sports complex and hotel and conference center, part of a 300-acre development of the three corners of Covell Road and Interstate 35. City official said they think the projects will lead to additional economic development and increased sales tax revenues. Plans for a McDonald’s have been approved in the area.Read more on NewsOK.com