NORWICH – It has been just two weeks since Dr. Naresh Rane and his partners, Jayesh Dav and Sanjay Malhotra, took ownership of the Norwich Motor Lodge. Changes to the property, soon to be called the Norwich Inn, are already apparent.

For many area residents, the motel’s new sign and landscaping were the first indication that a change in management had taken place.

The whole property is receiving a face lift. There are new paved walkways and outdoor seating areas, new carpeting in the motel rooms and the plan to add barbecue grills and patio umbrellas.

But the new owners don’t intend to stop there. They have bigger plans in mind for the state Rt. 12 south location, plans that include the construction of a 180-room hotel.

Rane, Dav and Malhotra intend to use the five acres behind the existing motel for the project, which will be constructed in three phases.

“We plan to have the first phase of 60 rooms completed by January 2010,” said Rane. The final phase of the project will be the demolition of the current 18-room motel.