HOT SPRINGS -- Interim City Manager Bill Burrough said Wednesday that the city has started to formulate plans for the cleanup of the Majestic Hotel complex's "yellow brick" building.
The city purchased the hotel complex Tuesday from Park Residences Development LLC for $672,782.90.
The yellow brick building, the oldest portion of the complex, burned on Feb. 27, 2014, and was torn down Feb. 28 and March 1 of that year. The rubble has remained piled along Park Avenue ever since.
"We started today, as far as going up and taking a serious look at the property and the rubble that exists there. I met with [Assistant City Manager] Lance Spicer and Sanitation Director Randy Atkinson on site, and we were able to take in the debris that was there," Burrough said.
He said the city also has a plan for the red brick building in the complex, but the focus right now is getting the rubble cleaned up.
"There is still a lot of preliminary work that needs to be handled, both from a logistics standpoint and a compliance standpoint with the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality.
"PRD LLC had a cleanup plan they submitted to ADEQ, and we'll be reviewing that, meeting with ADEQ and will probably take a similar track to expedite the beginning of the cleanup," he said.
Burrough said it was premature to say when the debris would be hauled away, because "we are going to be relying upon some approvals through ADEQ. However, we want to look at all our options and we can begin that process now, whether that be working with companies that may be able to come in and offer some perspectives, or companies that handle demolition and salvage."
He said a lot of material in the yellow brick portion can be salvaged, especially metal.
"We have an opportunity to salvage and recycle, and we want to take those opportunities. That particular building was built when wood framing was used more than metal, so there is an enormous amount of wood. We want to look at the option to salvage some of that, but if we can't do something with it, there may be an opportunity to burn it and keep it out of the landfill," he said.
Burrough said he would meet with Public Works Director Denny McPhate to discuss securing the building to keep everyone out.
"We want to make sure those areas currently open are secured so we can keep anyone from entering. We are going to do our best to put an end to urban explorers and secure that building. It is not safe for anyone to be in," he said.
He said a decision on what to do with the Lanai Towers and the suites at the back of the property would be up to the Hot Springs Board of Directors.
"We'll present options to them for them to be able to make those decisions. Our focus is that we'll pretty much do this in phases starting with the yellow brick building, then the 'red brick,' and then on to the Lanai Towers and the suites in the back. We think there is a lot of opportunity for some type salvage in those.
"Once we get the yellow brick building cleaned and abated, there is going to be a significant area below grade that would make a nice area to land to should we have to bring the 'red' portion down," Burrough said.
Burrough said Atkinson has "vast knowledge" of these types of facilities and thinks the city will have a good plan for the board with several options for consideration.
"In Randy's prior employment with Siloam Springs, they had to demolish a hospital facility, so he's had some experience in bringing down large buildings and working with contractors as they do the salvage and cleanup. So we're fortunate to have his expertise.
"The city looks at this as an opportunity to clean this area up, get the debris out of the entry point into downtown and the Whittington and Park avenues areas, and it's an opportunity to have a real estate investment. Once we have the site cleaned, we'll be able to recoup the funds it costs us to clean it if we sell the property.
"We want the citizens to understand that we feel like we've got the best of both worlds in being good stewards of the people's money, as well as getting the area clean for all citizens," he said.
Burrough said it would be up to the board of directors whether the property is eventually sold.
"I know we're going to have some funds involved in the cleanup and that would be an opportunity to recoup some of those should we decide to do that," he said.
State Desk on 08/29/2015