Opinion: Atrium eyesore headed towards resolution

CREDIT CITY OF HUTCHINSON

On Wednesday, the Hutchinson City Council approved an $865,000 bid to tear down the decrepit Atrium Hotel.

After a years-long standoff with the absentee Dallas-based landlord, the city is moving to tear down the dangerous mold-riddled structure.

The council had given the owner multiple chances to clean up the property. The Atrium closed in 2019, and the council gave the owner numerous chances to step up and solve his self-created problems or sell the property. He delayed, stalled, obfuscated and laughably described the 87 percent mold infestation as “minor.”

The council wisely rejected his dishonest attempts to stave off a demolition by floating a half-baked idea to build storage space and a strip mall. Salina is also frustrated with owner Joshua Joseph’s negligence, declaring the former Ambassador Hotel a dangerous structure. They, too, have run up against his unwillingness to take action on his dangerous and neglected properties. Another decrepit Joseph-owned property in Hays was razed some years back. He has a track record of letting others clean up his messes.

Demolition costs will be added to the property’s tax bill. Should the owner wish to keep the property, he must pay that to avoid foreclosure. If he abandons the property, the tax debt will be paid through a purchase. The property will sell—it is well-situated and easily accessible on a main highway, close to the hospital, shopping and restaurants.

The eyesore that thousands of people drive by daily will soon be gone. The council gave a timeline of 45 days for asbestos mitigation and 120 days afterward for total demolition and debris haul-off, including signs, support structures and concrete.

The city council, past and present, has been extremely patient. After five years, it is abundantly clear that the owner will not take responsibility, and it is time for the city to step in.