CAPTION: The site of what once was the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center on Monday, March 3, located at 1400 North Lorraine in Hutchinson. CREDIT MICHAEL GLENN/THE HUTCHINSON TRIBUNE
By Michael Glenn
The Atrium Hotel and Conference Center is on schedule to be completely demolished by the end of March.
That’s according to Hutchinson City Manager Enrico Villegas, who spoke to The Hutchinson Tribune in an interview Monday.
“We’re in really good shape,” Villegas said. “The contractor has done a phenomenal job, and we’re definitely on track to be done by the end of March.”
Villegas said the final step of demolition will be to remove the parking lot and replace it with straw and seed to make a grass site.
The City underwent the condemnation process to condemn and force the property owner to either demolish or repair the structure. In this case, the owner opted not to demolish it, and the City began demolition through a contractor. The cost of demolition will then be placed as a lien on the property. The property owner can then pay the lien, or after a number of years, the lien will go to the Reno County Sheriff’s tax sale.
“I do think that cleaning up blight is a good initiative for the City, and hopefully this is only further positive momentum for the City,” Villegas said. “A lot of people view this as a huge win, so hopefully, we can continue to build on that.”
