By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Representation from Great Bend Lodging, LLC was in attendance at Monday’s Great Bend City Council meeting. Great Bend Lodging is the entity prepared to construct a nearly $23 million hotel in the currently vacant lot at 3017 10th Street.
The City Council approved a pair of motions that move forward with incentive packages for the company to develop the property. Conner Works with Great Bend Lodging said two restaurants or retail stores will still be constructed at the front of the property next to the Great Bend Events Center.
"The plan would be to have two outlets out front," said Works. "We hope to find separate builders and tenants for those. We would like to sell those off and get those built as soon as possible."
Works noted the plan is to start construction on the hotel this fall and have the 15-month build done to open the hotel in the spring of 2027.
The City Council approved a Community Improvement District (CID) and sales tax within the district. The 2% sales tax, only within the district property, will help pay the costs of the project. Dominic Eck with Gilmore Bell’s bond counsel said more than $10 million is proposed to be financed by the CID sales tax.
"The project would begin collecting that CID sales tax and it could remain outstanding for the full 22 years that is allowed by statute," said Eck. "There are plenty of CID eligible costs to eat up the expected revenue generation. I would expect this CID to remain in place for the entire 22-year term."
The previously vacant and deteriorating hotel at 3017 10th Street was purchased by Great Bend Economic Development in 2022. With the building now torn down, Great Bend Lodging, LLC plans to build a new 80-room hotel.