Last September, Great Bend Economic Development Inc. announced it had purchased the one-time Highland Hotel property at 3017 10th St. with plans to develop a new hotel on the site.
This week, the GBED Board approved a contract with Stone Sand of Great Bend for an undisclosed amount to raze the 60,000-plus square foot primarily concrete building, said GBED Communications Director Lee Ann June. It sits on a five-acre tract at a prime 10th Street location.
“Our attention is focused on transforming a long-standing blighted property that has adversely affected our community,” a GBED news release reads. “We are excited to reveal that demolition is slated to commence within the next few weeks and is projected to be completed by the end of October, barring any unforeseen challenges.”
Once the site is cleared, they envision a “fresh beginning as we eagerly approach the dawn of a new calendar year.”
“The transformation of this site marks a major milestone in our journey as we continue to strengthen our thriving and vibrant community,” the release reads. “GBED is firmly committed to the betterment of Barton County, and we believe this redevelopment project will set the stage for further positive developments and opportunities.”
Ultimately, GBED has goals to see this property as a hotel for Great Bend again.
The project (dubbed Project Change) started in January 2022 as a roundtable discussion about the greatest needs in the community, said GBED President Sara Arnberger. GBED promoted a QR code (including a large version of it posted on the hotel’s parking lot sign) with the tag line “are you curious” that led folks to the agency’s website for more information.
The price was not disclosed and was not a matter of public record, and the facility was purchased from Retreat at Great Bend LLC. of Canada.
The past
In the latest report, the building is valued at $266,800 and the land at $89,960, according to the Barton County Appraiser’s Office ORKA site.
Opening in 1964, the Holiday Inn became a Great Bend landmark and local showcase. With the addition of the convention center and office complex in the 1980s, it was an anchor on 10th Street, the venue for meetings, banquets and important civic events.
However, it changed hands several times over the years as such facilities lost relevance. The Holiday Inn became the Highland Mannor Inn, the Parkside Hotel and finally the Great Bend Hotel and Convention Center which closed in 2016.
The next owners, Retreat at Great Bend LLC. of Canada, hoped to develop it into a time-share resort.
There were times when the taxes were not paid on the property and the City of Great Bend had to abate it. There were also reports of criminal activity.
Ultimately, the resort never happened and the property was sold to GBED.
In June 2011, the City Council approved utilizing $500,000 donated by an anonymous group of local residents to purchase the convention center separately from the hotel. This portion has been remodeled and developed into the city’s Events Center.
