By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
Local businessman Mark Bitter said he’s looking forward to the day of driving down Main Street in Great Bend and seeing the lights on for the upper floors of the old Zarah Hotel.
Bitter, Sheryl Cheely and Mark Mingenback, representing MyTown LP,
accepted a $265,650 check from Great Bend Economic Development Wednesday as a
recipient of the Loft Grant. The grant program is designed to assist property
owners in revitalizing the upper levels in Great Bend’s downtown area. Bitter
said when the project is all done, there will be 24 new residential units.
"MyTown exists because of Sheryl, but it also exists because of the community support," said Bitter. "People are buying into the idea that Great Bend is a good place. I think for us to be respectful of that is important. We mean to remind people with what we do that this is a great place."
The Zarah building, on the southeast corner of the Lakin Avenue and Main Street
intersection, was purchased by MyTown in 2008. With the help of the Loft Grant
and $1.425 million received from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation,
MyTown investors are tackling the nearly $6 million project to turn the
long-time vacant upper floors into studio, one-bedroom and two-bedroom
apartments for moderate-income individuals or families.
"I don't know if people visualize it because they look at this as one building," said Bitter. "This would be like building 24 new homes. If we had a subdivision pop up with 24 new homes, it would be exciting, but that subdivision would not have the same effect on the downtown. It wouldn't create the walking traffic."
RELATED STORY: Plan for 24 apartments in Great Bend eyes moderate incomes
Built in 1925, the ground floor of the building has consistently been used by a
number of retail businesses but the second, third and fourth floors have been
unoccupied for decades. Bitter said MyTown is waiting on decisions, but want to
begin the renovation as soon as possible to have the project complete by early
2025.
