Abandoned hotel by the falls may come down

Lynn Walker, Wichita Falls Times Record News
Updated ·2 min read

The city of Wichita Falls may move forward with plans to acquire and tear down an abandoned and derelict hotel by the waterfalls off Central Freeway.

Once a showplace the old hotel near the Wichita River on Central Expressway may come down to make room for a city park.
Once a showplace the old hotel near the Wichita River on Central Expressway may come down to make room for a city park.

On Tuesday, city councilors will consider acquiring the property where the hotel sits just north of the Wichita River.

The ordinance proposes using the power of eminent domain, if necessary, for the acquisition of the property.

The land would be turned into a public park. The city already owns adjacent land, including an RV park and a recently acquired 14 acre tract of open land.

The item to be considered Tuesday points out the city’s staff will continue to attempt to reach an agreement with the owner. If that doesn’t work, the city could file a petition for eminent domain.

As the former Sheraton Hotel on Central Freeway fell into disrepair, police were often called to the scene on reports on vandals and transients and on one occasion had to rescue juveniles from the building.
As the former Sheraton Hotel on Central Freeway fell into disrepair, police were often called to the scene on reports on vandals and transients and on one occasion had to rescue juveniles from the building.

The hotel was constructed after the City Council and the Wichita County Commissioners approved the sale of up to $10 million in industrial revenue bonds in 1983. Two businessmen from Stillwater, Okla. built the 170-room facility, which opened on Oct. 1,1985, but was plagued from the beginning with the issues related to being in a flood-prone area near the river. It was nearly inundated during construction in 1985 and floodwater reached it several times in subsequent years.

The hotel was closed for a period of time after a major flood in 2007 swamped it and forced evacuation of guests.

Once welcoming, the pool area of the former Sheraton Hotel near the falls on Central Freeway, fell into ruin with the rest of the building.
Once welcoming, the pool area of the former Sheraton Hotel near the falls on Central Freeway, fell into ruin with the rest of the building.

City leaders initially had concerns about flooding because the hotel was in a floodway, but the Corps of Engineers revised their drawings to accommodate its construction..

In its heyday, the Sheraton was a premier local hotel, hosting many community events in its 5,000 square-foot ballroom, including a gala for then-Vice President George Bush.

The hotel changed hands and names several times over the years and eventually fell into disrepair. The building racked up numerous ordinance violations. It was vacated about 2012 and became a hangout for vagrants. Wichita Falls Police have made numerous calls to the location. It has also become a setting for You Tube videos made by urban-decay explorers.

The Wichita Appraisal District lists the current owners as Wichita Falls Hospitality Inc. in Durant, Okla. The property's value is listed as $1.5 million.

This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: Abandoned hotel by the falls may come down