A group of engineers say the Arlington Resort Hotel and Spa in Hot Springs is safe for people to visit ahead of renovations next year.
The hotel, Arkansas' oldest, has come under scrutiny from officials, who say the 93-year-old building poses structural threats to guests. There had been talks of shutting it down, but Hot Springs officials instead ordered the hotel's owners, Sky Capital Group, to hire outside consultants to assess whether the building has the integrity to be deemed safe.
That outside consultant group, the Cromwell Architects Engineers, looked over five key areas of concern, and Monday its leader, Joe Hilliard, said, "In our professional opinion, the building in its current condition with the steps taken as recommended in this report can be safely occupied until the next 18 months."
"Among the building's structures cleared by the engineers were its north and west wings, seventh floor, the fountain wing, and the central section," according to a news release.
Results from the group were delivered to Hot Springs officials Monday, according the release.
-- Dalton LaFerney