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November 23, 2009

New developments for fate of GBC’s LaQuinta

By Art Lawler Staff Writer

GUN BARREL CITY — Would anybody want to buy a partially-completed LaQuinta Hotel at a bargain price?

Don’t let this get out, but you may soon be able to purchase the almost-completed LaQuinta Hotel in Gun Barrel City.

It’s not known exactly how good a bargain you’ll get yet, because no one’s been able to put a price on it yet.

The hotel is one of several new buildings the city contracted with Ken Landers Construction to develop, in return for the donation of nearly $1 million worth of land from the Gun Barrel Economic Development Corporation. Landers Development Company:

The bank is currently in the hands of Woodforest National Bank, and officials from there have hired a Houston group to evaluate what needs to be done to get the attractive structure up and running.

A building that has stood dormant and incomplete for months is showing some signs of life, but it may still be months away from opening day.

The hotel’s opening has been delayed repeatedly, but Woodforest National Bank has repossessed the property.

Gun Barrel City Manager Gerry Boren said Thursday that the bank has hired another Houston company to do an assessment to determine how much money it will cost to get the building up and running, as intended.

One of the improvements, Boren said, will be reinforcing the walls around the elevator, which currently do not meet specifications.

An inventory of the building’s assets has been taken this week.

“They hope to have a price for the completion of the hotel ready by the end of this week,’ Boren said. “Maybe two prices.”

One price will be for purchasing the building, as is, and one will be the price it will take to get the hotel up and running.

Boren said the bank hopes to get the bidding process out to contractors in the next few days.

From a distance, it looks like any other modern-day LaQuinta Hotel. But a closer inspection shows there are no television sets inside the building, Boren said. The electricity had been off for months. Their may still be some plumbing to be completed, as well the installation of security systems, he said.

Boren said GBC inspectors, code enforcement personnel, and contractors inspected the building last week.

LaQuinta officials have also been part of the ongoing negotiations, and Boren said they are not planning on pulling the franchise.

Asked how long he thought potential tourists would have to wait before the LaQuinta Hotel finally opens, Boren said. “I’m not sure, but it won’t be this year.”

Some of the hotel work has already been completed in recent weeks, such as the drapes, the swimming pool, the carpet, air-conditioning and wiring.

Other whistles and bells obviously still need to be attached.

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