By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend City Council approved a motion to withdraw $100,000 from the city’s Economic Development fund to assist with the demolition of a vacant hotel on 10th Street.
For more than six years, the Great Bend Hotel & Convention Center, or the old Highland Hotel, has been closed. Moving forward with a demolition of the deteriorating hotel, Great Bend Economic Development Board member Paul Snapp said the contractor will first attempt to salvage any items from the structure, mostly copper material.
"We did find out what the cost of the asbestos removal was," said Snapp. "Those items have been removed from the building. After the salvage is complete, the contractor can then start with the demolition."
The $100,000 from the Economic Development fund, coupled with other funds available, will allow Great Bend Economic Development to complete the demolition and then repay the funds to the account as soon as the property is sold for redevelopment.
City Administrator Brandon Anderson was positive about moving forward with the project.
"It's exciting to see that progress," said Anderson. "If you're asking for my personal opinion, I feel like the bridge would be good just to get that project started, certainly with the intent to pay it back."
The demolition of the 60,000 square-foot structure is expected to be finished by Oct. 31 by Stone Sand Company. Great Bend Economic Development is hopeful for new owners to build a new hotel in its place.