AUBURN – One of the largest private hotel operators in North America is eyeing a spot near the Auburn Mall for a possible Marriott Courtyard hotel.

Ocean Properties – owner of the Samoset in Rockport and Wentworth-by-the-Sea in Portsmouth – is negotiating with local developer George Schott to build a hotel at the intersection of Turner Street and Mount Auburn Avenue.

“I’m very pleased to announce that we have had successful showings of the Auburn Mall area and a developer has selected it as the site for a new hotel,” said Pat Finnigan, city manager, who made the surprise announcement at a reception held in her honor Wednesday evening at Holly’s Own Deli. “This association between Ocean Properties and the Auburn Mall area is phenomenal for our community and what it means for additional development.”

Finnigan’s news sent a ripple of gasps through the room where dozens of people had gathered to wish her well as she leaves her post Friday for a new job in Portland’s City Hall. But the deal has been quietly in the works for months.

“We met with George on a number of occasions, have looked at sites and have a strong interest in seeing what we can do to bring a high-quality hotel to Auburn,” said Bob Baldacci, vice president of development for Ocean Properties and brother to the governor. “In fact, (chairman) Tom Walsh was up Saturday looking at the site. We’re looking at this very seriously.”

Baldacci said his company was approached by a representative of Schott’s a few months ago. Ocean Properties was founded by Walsh, a Mainer from Bangor, with deep roots in the state. Finnigan, who also hails from Bangor, said Walsh clearly understood Auburn’s economic mission and the work that has gone into preparing the area for future development.

“You can’t do these things alone,” she said noting the efforts of city staff, elected officials and citizen support that resulted in infrastructure and zoning necessary for development of the mall area. “You work as hard as you can and people take notice.”

Baldacci said his company will spend the next 60 to 90 days assessing the intersection, the market and construction costs. He said early indications signal that it is a good market for a Marriott Courtyard.

That brand caters to business clientele, offering free in-room, high-speed Internet access, large desks with no-glare lighting and ergonomic chairs, two telephones with multiple lines, data ports and voice mail, as well as on-property business centers. It also markets itself as a base of operations for non-business guests, offering services for reunions, weddings and vacations.

Schott said he’s had a hotel in mind for the area for quite a while.

“Lewiston-Auburn needs another hotel,” he said. “This is an ideal location because it’s where the shopping and restaurants are.”

The site’s location near the Center Street flyover gives it easy access to Bates College and beyond, he added. He expects the hotel will offer 120 rooms or so.

The hotel could be built on one of three corners at the Mount Auburn/Turner Street intersection owned by Schott. The owner of the Auburn Mall and other nearby retail complexes, Schott said he thinks Ocean Properties will likely pick the spot with the easiest access for traffic.

“I thought this was a great location for (a hotel), so I went to the big boys,” he said of Ocean Properties.

The company operates more than 100 hotels, in association with Marriott, Hilton, Intercontinental, Sheraton and Westin franchises, as well as some smaller chains in the United States and Canada. It has a $90 million proposal to build a hotel/recreation complex on Portland’s waterfront.

Roland Miller, Auburn’s chief economic developer, said the announcement is validation of the community’s efforts to attract investment. While the paperwork sealing the deal is still being shuffled about, there’s no question in his mind that it will happen.

“We have Tom Walsh’s handshake and a commitment that he will build a hotel here,” he said.

Hotels operated by Ocean Properties in Maine:

Harborside Hotel & Marina, Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Regency Hotel & Marina, Bar Harbor

Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort, Bar Harbor

Holiday Inn, Bath

Samoset Resort on the Ocean, Rockport

Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Portland

Portland Marriott at Sable Oaks, Portland

Park Entrance Oceanfront, Bar Harbor

Days Inn, Bar Harbor

Fairfield Inn, Bar Harbor

Fairfield Inn, Bangor