HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Hutchinson Mayor Jade Piros de Carvalho asked for an update on the Atrium Hotel situation at the City Council meeting on Tuesday.
"Izzy Rivera, building inspector and myself have been in contact with Joshua Joseph with regard to the Atrium," said Interim City Manager Gary Meagher. "Right now, he did offer the building to the city. There's been some prior discussions, I know. In this particular offer, he was offering to sell the building to the city for $2 million and then he would demolish it, if that's what we wanted, or whatever it might be."
Piros de Carvalho was not amused.
"It would be my hope that we do not give him a damn dime for that building," Piros de Carvalho said. "But, I don't know how everyone else feels."
The general consensus seemed to be that something does need to be done, but more likely by a future developer than through use of city funds.
"Maybe there's a way to get two people together," said council member Sara Bagwell. "Maybe the Chamber of Commerce or somebody can work with Joseph to see if there is anybody else that would be interested in the property. Maybe going that route would probably be more reasonable."
Meagher is going to continue work to try to find someone who will do something with the property going forward, hopefully with as little City involvement as practical.