Mystic ― A local hotel owner has filed an application with the Planning and Zoning Commission to overhaul and expand the Howard Johnson’s hotel on Route 27.

“It will be state of the art,” said J&H Mystic Hospitality owner Babu Moore on Thursday.

Moore said the plans for the 3.3-acre site, directly off Interstate 95’s exit 90 in Mystic, would renovate the existing building, add a third story, demolish a portion of the building connecting the hotel to the Mystic Diner and end the hotel’s run as a Howard Johnson’s.

He said the hotel would be converted to a Hilton-brand extended stay hotel known as Home2 Suites.

The Howard Johnson’s and attached Mystic Diner on Route 27 share a driveway with Italian restaurant Andiamo and the former Econo Lodge motel, which is also being renovated.

Moore said the Mystic property is ideal, not only because of its central location and the area’s vibrant tourism industry, but also due to the wonderful community.

He was unwilling to provide specific cost estimates but said the renovation and conversion would probably be in excess of $10 million.

The project calls for renovating the interior and exterior of the existing building, adding elevators and fire suppression systems and making it handicap accessible.

Moore said the project will also upgrade amenities including renovating the pool and adding exercise facilities and a breakfast area.

The addition of a third floor will add 20 rooms for a total of 94 rooms, 70 of which will be king studio suites.

The Mystic Diner will remain in place, and a secondary curb cut into the parking lot will be closed off, leaving the entrance at the intersection of Route 27 and Coogan Boulevard as the sole entrance to the shared parking lot.

If approved, Moore said he anticipated the project would begin at the end of the year, and the hotel would be closed for the duration of the 12- to 16-month project.

The Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the application for June 4.