Developers of the Historic Breckenridge Hotel and Convention Center in downtown Emporia say an unlikely federal agency is setting the stage for completing the project, perhaps as soon as 2020.
Steve Haught tells KVOE News the US Department of Agriculture is “fully on board” with seeing the nearly 90-bed hotel move forward.
Shortly before the passing of fellow developer John Mallon in October 2017, Haught suggested the team reach out to the USDA and see how the agency could help. As that work has continued, Haught says physical work has been focused inside the building.
Haught says the historical aspect of the building is still a top priority, as it has been throughout the project.
The interior will keep some aspects of the hotel’s former use as Lowther North Intermediate School. The exterior will see two significant changes — a ramp for handicapped accessibility and a driveway for incoming guests — but the lawn in front of the building will remain in place.
The tentative concept was announced in 2012, and there have been lengthy discussions about the hotel’s appearance and funding packages. Once built, it will have close to 90 rooms and a long-sought convention space with capacity for 500 people. Choice Hotels has agreed to have the hotel-convention center under its Ascend flag once construction is finished.
Funding details are not being released at this time. Parking plans are under development and are not currently ready to be divulged.
Haught will join KVOE’s Newsmaker segment at 7:15 am Friday with more details.
