City sues to begin demolition of abandoned hotel by the falls
Negotiations failed, so Wichita Falls has sued the owner of an abandoned multi-story hotel at 100 Central Freeway to use the power of eminent domain to seize the building and tear it down.
The City Council authorized the move in August. At the time, Assistant City Manager Paul Menzies said the goal was to “get everybody to the table and get us moving down the road on this project.”
He said the hope was to come to terms with the owner on a price for the building and avoid the use of eminent domain.
More: Abandoned hotel by the falls may come down
That didn’t happen, so the city filed suit in November.
The owner is Wichita Falls Hospitality, Inc., which is operated by Rajendra K. Patel of Sherman.
The city said in its suit filed in 30th District Court that it made a “bona fide offer” to acquire the property, but the two sides could not agree on the value.
More: City takes steps to tear down old Sheraton Hotel
The court has appointed a panel of three local people to assess what the city should pay the owner for the property.
The Wichita Appraisal District valued the property at $1.5 million in 2023. Tax Assessor-Collector Tommy Smyth said the owners are current on their property taxes.
The structure began life as an upscale Sheraton Hotel in 1985. Ironically, while the City Council approved the effort to demolish the hotel, it authorized $10 million in industrial revenue bonds in 1983 to build it.
More: Wichita Falls hotel owner claims remodel in works, but officials opens path for demolition
With 170 rooms and suites, the hotel was a popular attraction in its heyday. It’s 5,000 square-foot ballroom was once the setting for a gala honoring Vice President George H.W. Bush.
One of the problems that plagued the structure from the beginning was its location in the floodway of the nearby Wichita River. Guests had to be evacuated on at least two occasions as the river rose out of its banks. The hotel changed names and owners several times over the years.
More: Proposal for new park latest plan for banks of the Wichita River
Appraisal District records show the current owners have held it since 1998.
It went out of business in about 2012 and has been vacant ever since.
The building attracted vagrants and urban decay explorers who uploaded You Tube videos of its eerie interiors. Police have made many calls to the abandoned structure.
More: A tale of two hotels: The future looks bleak for once proud structures
Efforts to acquire and demolish the building will be expensive. Menzies said in 2021 the level of funding might be so high it would require approval by voters. On Thursday a statement from the city said funding could be accomplished with existing funds. The City Council would have to vote on the spending.
In March 2023, the city bought 14.7 acres of adjacent land from former Wichitan Rooster Cogburn, who once owned the property where the hotel was built.
Because of the potential for flooding, the land is largely unsuitable for structures, so the plan is to create a park on the grounds.
This article originally appeared on Wichita Falls Times Record News: City sues to begin demolition of abandoned hotel by the falls
