By Lucky Kidd
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Although staff was willing to give a little on some of the time frames and the amount of bond owner Josiah Joseph would have to post, the Hutchinson City Council may take action to order demolition of the Atrium Hotel and Conference Center at Tuesday evening’s meeting.
On Aug. 20, the Council adopted a resolution ordering repair of removal of the dilapidated building that has sat empty for nearly five years. At their meeting on Sept. 17 Joseph presented a plan to rehabilitate the Atrium into retail and self-storage space, asked for an extension of time frames and reduction of the two million dollar cash bond he would be required to post.
The city has already received bids for demolition, which were due Sept. 24, and are currently being evaluated. Based on that information, staff was willing, under certain conditions, to allow an extension of the time frame for demolition and reduce the bond Joseph would have to post from $2 million to $999,999. This was discussed with Joseph Thursday.
One of those conditions was that all structures on the property be demolished including all concrete, footings and foundations. Other conditions included removal of all concrete, footings, foundations, and signage, cutting and capping of all utilities, asbestos removal be done per KDHE requirements, backfilling of the site to grade with fill dirt, and hauling off of all contents by the deadline.
To that, Joseph expressed uncertainty about being able to secure even that size of bond, and ultimately decided if the conference center part of the complex could not remain, there was no value in the recommendation for him.
Based on this and the fact no permits have been issued or safety fencing put up, the Council has on their agenda a motion to proceed with demolition.
