At the Great Bend City Council meeting Monday night, Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development CEO Jan Peters confirmed that Freddy’s Frozen Custard is indeed coming to Great Bend, and developers have begun work on the new restaurant that is expected to celebrate its grand opening in early October. Construction was delayed briefly due to the rain received at the end of May, but now work is beginning on the site.
New units to be built at Trail Ridge
The good news was followed by more. Last year, 48 new apartments were built and leased in Great Bend at 9th and McKinley, The Reserves at Trail Ridge. Matt Gillam, vice president of development with Overland Property Group, Leawood, told Peters the company came in number one in a field of 46 applicants for a grant that will make further development of the property located at 811 Grant Street next to Walmart possible.
Last year, the company completed its first phase of building at The Reserves, which included 48 units and the clubhouse. This second phase will complete what Gillam indicated to the city was his original plan for the property. Peters said the ground-breaking is expected to be in early April.
Hotel under new ownership
Ten days ago, the Highland Hotel changed ownership, and the new owners immediately changed its name to the Great Bend Hotel and Convention Center, but the name is likely to change again if new owners Frank Hansen and Ishtiaq Awan succeed in efforts to secure a new flag for what was once Great Bend’s premier hotel.
With plans to seek out the help of the Great Bend Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development on their own, Peters beat them to the punch, Awan said. She reported to the Great Bend City Council Monday night, confirming the ownership change.
The Tribune met with the new owners Tuesday morning. Hansen, originally from Argentina, has spent the past 30 years working as a contractor building and renovating hotels in Canada. Awan, also from Canada, has been in hospitality management for a similar span of time. Ishtiaq learned the Highland Hotel was for sale, approached Hansen, and the two decided to take the plunge.
Ten days into ownership, the two are following up on options to secure a new flag for the hotel. Peters explained that is the term used in the hospitality industry to indicate a brand for a hotel. In the meantime, Hansen and Awan have assessed the condition of the hotel and agree, it is a white elephant, structurally fine but cosmetically run down.
“It’s going to take some time to bring this hotel back up,” Hansen said. “But we see there is definitely potential.”
To start, overgrown landscaping has been addressed, and plans are being made to power wash and paint the front, essentially cleaning up the hotel’s face, Hansen said.
While there are 172 rooms, the team has decided to only market 67 at this time, concentrating on providing better service while they shop the hotel around to various companies. Until they have completed that step, they will wait to do any renovations. The reason, Hansen said, is because each company has unique requirements, and to do otherwise would be a waste of time and money.
Ultimately, Awan said, the partners are eager to build a community oriented business.
More new prospects on horizon
Finally, Peters informed the council she would be meeting with a prospect on Tuesday that would invest $45 million and create five new jobs. Also, a Great Bend company is looking into building a new facility that will better meet their needs. She will be closely working with both parties and will keep the council informed, she said.
