Immigration woes put hotel back on market
By Bobbi Mlynar
Originally published 09:04 a.m., February 23, 2008
Updated 09:04 a.m., February 23, 2008
Finances and a green-card application that remains in limbo have combined to undermine a renovation project at the University Inn, 1839 Merchant St.
Mohammed Elsalmi, 25, said Friday afternoon that he is sad and disappointed that his father’s company, Falcon Sunflower Services, will not be able to complete the changes at the motel. Instead, the property is for sale.
His father, Dr. Ghazi Elsalmi, in 2005 had looked at communities and properties in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas before deciding to invest in property in Emporia and retire here, Mohammed Elsalmi said.
The elder man is a Jordanian who currently is living in Qatar.
“He chose Emporia over other cities. ... He loved the people here,” Mohammed Elsalmi said. “I swear to you that the reason why we choose Emporia ... wasn’t business reason. It’s because we love to be part of you guys. ... We were so excited about the project.”
The renovation was to turn the aging motel, which had fallen into disrepair, into a luxury inn with about 45 to 50 rooms, including suites.
Falcon paid cash for the property, hired 16 workers and began extensive renovations, he said.
Rooms were improved, as was plumbing and other mechanical equipment and windows and the roof were replaced before money became an issue, Elsalmi said. He was unable to finance the project, nor could his father get a loan from U.S. banks.
“The only problem that the bank had is my dad is not a citizen or a resident of the United States,” said Elsalmi, who attended Emporia State University and still lives here.
The Elsalmis had expected Dr. Elsalmi’s green card to be issued long before now.
“An average green card application should not take more than a year,” Mohammed Elsalmi said. “Until now we don’t have an answer yes or not; it is just pending. We were wishing that day would come, but that day doesn’t come.”
Cash for the investment, however, was dwindling as they waited.
“We said ‘Tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow,’ and nothing can change. And we did spend all the money, the cash money. It’s not going to happen,” he said.
Both men are disappointed with the outcome of the project. They initially had hoped to develop additional investments in the city.
Elsalmi said as an example that he had worked with his brother, who is employed in Germany with Maurice Schmidt of Ek Real Estate, and with Kent Heerman, director of the Regional Development Association, to try to bring in a German company to locate in Emporia. That plan did not work out.
Elsalmi said that he hopes the property will sell quickly. He realizes that townspeople may also be disappointed because the improvements have ceased.
“We don’t want it to be an eyesore for Emporia,” he said. “We don’t want that. ...Do you think any person likes to lose money? No. I always respect this town. I love this town. I just need the town support and understanding of the situation.”
Elsalmi said he has been in the United States for 10 years and attended Emporia State University before settling in here.
“I am part of this community and I’m so proud to be of it. I am sad,” he said. “I wish that I can be part of the future of Emporia. ... I cannot.”
He said he regretted that he will need to move to Texas after the building sells.
“What made me feel worse was the City of Emporia was very understanding,” he said. “I respect them a lot.”
The property will be listed at $900,000 by Ek Real Estate, according to Schmidt.
“My opinion is that the structure will be retained and that the ultimate use would be that of a hotel or a multi-purpose family conversion,” Schmidt said.
The drawback for hotel use is that it lacks the amenities that travelers want when they stay overnight.
“There are no restaurants, other complementary businesses around it,” Schmidt said.
The University Inn, formerly The Ramada Inn and Continental Restaurant and Club, was Emporia’s hottest entertainment ticket in the late 1970s and early 1980s, both for locals and for workers who came to build the Wolf Creek nuclear power plant near New Strawn.
The building contained not only a motel, but an upscale dining area, bar, large dance floor and meeting rooms for conventions. It then was owned and operated by X.C. “Zenny” Leonida, who sold it to Loren and Martha Parks and Loren Parks II. They re-opened the restaurant and club in 1998.
Later, John Thomas and Susan Brownlee opened a gentlemen’s club, Angel’s, on the property. It was closed after a judge ruled it was not a legal business to operate within 500 feet of Emporia State University.
Schmidt said the property should be attractive to a buyer because of its location and solid structure, and that it will be offered for sale “as long as the Internet reaches.”
“It is a very, very marketable property,” Schmidt said. “It’s our job to take it from here and go.”
jaredfromsubway (anonymous) says...
Of all investment opportunities in the surrounding areas, I have a hard time believing a run down hotel would even be an option. Are there no more oil wells in Qatar to invest?. That is a much better way to take America's money. With 60% of its GDP coming from oil and gas production, I would put that money there.
This will be a test of the "bigger fool theory", as will there be a bigger fool to try to resurrect this eye sore. Good luck. If someone is crazy enough to refurbish it, I hope they add a Subway, though I am also partial to gentlemen clubs.
February 23, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
howdo (anonymous) says...
Nice attitide!!
February 23, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
DCW (anonymous) says...
it's sad that emporians are sounding so racist these days.
February 23, 2008 at 8:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
apsuz (anonymous) says...
Although I no longer live in Emporia, I would love to see this hotel brought back to life. I would do it if I won the lottery (which I would need to in order to do the renovations that I would like). I've often imagined what could be done with that place, for someone with enough resources.
February 24, 2008 at 1:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
nks (anonymous) says...
Does anyone think there is enough market for another hotel of this size in Emporia?
I think it would be a better idea to turn it into apartments. WIth that location close to campus it would be a very popular place.
February 24, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Small, cheap and clean studio apartments for the campus is a great idea. Many kids just need a room to sleep in since they are in school and working and money is tight.
Not sure if a motel/hotel would pay off in the long run. I think thats the real reason they bailed. The west side motels have dominated this business. Now if they would stop changing their names every other week we could keep track.
February 24, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
zippy (anonymous) says...
The studio apartments is a great idea! Even renting some by the week or day to day for those students who commute to the university and can't afford to pay a lot for an apartment.
February 24, 2008 at 9:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hottopics (anonymous) says...
Who has that kind of capitol to buy and renovate? A local owner/operator is the way to go if at all possible. A huge project but I think its very do'able.
I would if I thought a bank could finance the venture.
February 25, 2008 at 1:01 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
I agree, Tre. "Day-to-day" raises a red flag with me. The studio apartment idea is top drawer though. ESU kids can always use something affordable and small.
February 25, 2008 at 9:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
admireed (anonymous) says...
With the hit Tyson made on the real estate situation, it will be a cold day before this project becomes anything.
February 25, 2008 at 4:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
momoftwo (anonymous) says...
As it stands now, this piece of property is a huge eyesore! What a welcome sight for all those potential ESU students, not to mention potential Emporians - NOT! I can't imagine a developer being able to do much to that place & get his payback. I do think the studio apartment idea is a good one - but others are right - the cost to do something like that would probably be absolutely outrageous. Hey - if the Nat'l Teachers Hall of Fame is still looking to build their own place - why not tear down the eyesore & let them put up their new building in its place? Awesome location - highly visible, close to the college, etc...
February 26, 2008 at 11:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mythoughts (anonymous) says...
Yeah, just start from scratch...a nice meeting hall, a small cafe, a little green space with a view, a couple of pieces of outdoor art...it would be nice! Now, the studio apartments with a central cafeteria in the restaurant might work as a privately-run dorm, but if the physical space isn't maintained we'll still be stuck with an eyesore like some of the other student complexes along Merchant.
February 26, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
There were other interested parties when these folks bought the place, one was looking to turn it into apartments then. Hopefully something will be done with it soon, perhaps the School District Administration could use another building?
February 26, 2008 at 10:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )