The two neighborhoods of Middle River Terrace and South Middle River recently gave the OK to a developer who is seeking to convert an abandoned property into a boutique hotel on Progresso Drive.

During a Middle River Terrace Neighborhood Association meeting, developer Richard Boemerman — who has restored other properties in the eastern part of the city — presented plans to residents for an L-shaped hotel, which will have 15 rooms.

An empty eyeglass clinic currently sits on the property near the eastern edge of the area known as the “13th Street Strip,” said resident Tim Smith, a former city commissioner.

“[The developer] wants to turn it into a boutique hotel and restaurant,” Middle River president Mark Hensel said. “The building is a little too close to the residential properties behind it. ... But this could be the catalyst for the rebirth of 13th Street.”

Although Belgrave declined to talk specifically about the hotel’s design and decor, planners have made preliminary drawings, he said.

“We can only say it’s going to be a small hotel, [with] a bar and a small restaurant ... next to it,” Belgrave said.

The hotel will be called Trax, Belgrave said, a name derived from the property’s proximity to the railroad tracks. The proposal is scheduled for a city Board of Adjustment hearing this week.