Plans for an 80-bed hotel fronted by two restaurants on 10th Street moved forward Monday with two ordinances approved by the Great Bend City Council. Officials from the REV Development team, representing Great Bend Lodging LLC, said they hope to have the hotel and restaurants open in mid-2027.
There were two public hearings followed by the passage of two ordinances as part of the incentive package for Great Bend Lodging LLC. There were no objections from the public. The council heard from Attorney Dominic Eck with Gilmore and Bell, the City’s bond counsel; and REV Development team member Conner Works.
Also in the audience were REV Development Principal Mike Works and Great Bend Economic Development President Sara Arnberger. GBED is involved in the project and sold the property to Great Bend Lodging LLC after razing the former hotel.
The project
In October 2024, the City Council approved a Memorandum of Understanding between the City of Great Bend, Great Bend Economic Development, and Great Bend Lodging LLC. The MOU established the developer’s intention to build an 80-room hotel with development costs of approximately $14 million that is affiliated with a nationally known brand, specifically Hampton Inn or a brand of comparable quality and stature. The scope would also include one or more restaurants with anticipated development costs of approximately $5 million.
Elsewhere, a project budget estimates total development costs to be $22,960,000.
Final incentive steps
Eck spoke at the first of two public hearings on Monday. Ordinance 4453 establishes the Great Bend Lodging Community Improvement District (CID).
“Tonight’s step is the final step in the CID process,” Eck said. The development area will impose a 2% (maximum) retail sales tax to pay some of the project costs. The tax applies only to businesses in the CID and not to the entire city.
Eck said the district sales tax will begin at a time chosen by the developer.
According to information on the city council agenda, $10,100,000 of the project will be financed with the CID sales tax. The developer estimates that the CID sales tax would generate $3.4 million over the maximum term of 22 years.
The district covers the vacant area that previously housed the Highland Hotel at 3017 10th St., next to the Great Bend Events Center.
Conner Works told the city council, “We’re excited to be here,” adding the developers are excited about the location next to the Great Bend Events Center. They plan to begin construction this fall and open the hotel in the spring of 2027. There are two “out lots” in front of the hotel site, which have been described as future restaurants. He said they hope to get the restaurants built as soon as possible.
Eck spoke again at the second public hearing, titled “Adoption of Redevelopment Project Plan.”
“This is the final step of the TIF (Tax Increment Financing) process,” he said. TIF incentives have been drafted but have not yet been fully negotiated. He said the council could wait for the fully negotiated agreement or approve Ordinance 4454, adopting a redevelopment project plan for the 10th Street redevelopment district.
The first ordinance passed 5-0 with yeas from Kevyn Soupiset (via telephone), Rickee Maddox, Alan Moeder, Jolene Biggs and Cory Urban. Three members, Gary Parr, Tina Mingenback and Davis Jimenez, were absent.
The second ordinance required the approval of 2/3 of the council, which is six votes. This ordinance was approved 6-0 with Mayor Cody Schmidt providing the final “yea.”
About the developer
REV Development is based in Lincoln, Nebraska. According to its website, it was founded 10 years ago by Mike Works and Justin Hernandez and has evolved into a full-service development company. REV Development specializes in mixed-use developments which often include hotel or multi-family components. Over the past five years, the principals of REV Development have developed or co-developed 15 hotels and a combined $300 million in development. REV currently has $250 million in the development pipeline.
About Great Bend Lodging LLC.
The business was formed on July 23, 2024, and registered with the State of Kansas Office of the Secretary of State. Its registered office is located at 2500 10th St., Great Bend, and its status is “active and in good standing.” Its resident agent is Subash Patel.
