Bartell project advances

From The Daily Union, May 13, 2003:

By GAIL PARSONS
The Daily Union
A few years ago, the historic but dilapidated Bartell Hotel appeared destined for a meeting with the wrecking ball. That trip may be taking an off-ramp with Monday's announcement from the U.S. Department of Agriculture that a $1 million loan had been approved for its renovation.

The resurrection of the old hotel isn't assured, though the future is brighter.

Project supporters must wait for approval of tax credits by the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing. However, Geary County Economic Development Commission Executive Director Larry Cope and Chuck Banks, state director for USDA Rural Development, have expressed confidence that securing the USDA loan will pave the road for the tax credits approval.

If that happens, renovation could begin as early as fall this year. Work might have to be delayed until early in 2004, Cope confirmed this morning.

After the USDA rejected an earlier loan request, U.S. Rep. Jerry Moran, R-Kansas, heard about the Bartell. He toured the building and began to learn more about it. At one of his daughter's basketball games in Junction City, Moran said he "was cornered by (former City Commissioner) Dick Pinaire," who told him all about the project.

As a member of the Agriculture Committee, Moran put in a good word for the Bartell. The project was one of 10 nationwide and one of two in Kansas that the USDA approved for loans.

Moran was present Monday in Junction City's Heritage Park for an official announcement about the loan.

"From a Junction City point of view, this is a win, win, win," Moran said. "This building will someday be restored to its historic past."

Pinaire, who has been a staunch supporter of the building's renovation, said he was excited about what he sees as "a very big step toward the completion of a much needed improvement to our downtown. I'm excited to see this big part of the project fall into place."

The top two floors of the 124-year-old building have sat empty for decades, and the main level has undergone a series of remodeling projects.

In recent years, the old hotel, described by some area residents as the cornerstone of Junction City's downtown, has become the center of controversy.

Historical preservationists have been pitted against those, including several city leaders, who wanted to see the building razed. At one time, it was suggested that a Walgreens drug store would be built on the property if the building was torn down.

Among those leading the fight to preserve the Bartell was Gaylynn Childs, director of the Geary County Historical Society.

"We have worked for a long time on this," Childs said.

When talk of demolishing the building began to spread around Junction City, she and a few others banded together to save the building.

"I had some very powerful and important people in this community that applied pressure for us to stop (trying to save the Bartell)," she said. But she believed in the potential of the building and had seen other preservation projects succeed. That drove her and others to keep pushing to save the old hotel.

Monday's announcement puts the preservationists one step closer to their goal -- and one step shy of it.

Gail Parsons can be reached at (785) 762-5000, Ext. 142, or at gparsons@dailyu.com.