By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The Former Ambassador Hotel on W. Crawford that was torn down last year, has been taking some time to fully remove the debris, but is still moving forward to completion.
According to Director of Community and Development Services for the City of Salina, Lauren Driscoll, they have been in communication with property owner, Andrea Investments, LLC as far as the progress goes for debris removal.
Driscoll added Andrea Investments has stumbled across issues, such as equipment and availability of staff/contractors throughout the process.
The hotel was voted by Salina Commissioners to be demolished on October 2024, after it was deemed to be a 'dangerous structure.' On November 2024, the demolition permit was issued and on December 2024 work began.
"Since then, there has been progress, though at varying levels," Driscoll said. "There has been some slowdown, but they have not stopped and hopefully we can this wrapped up here soon."
After full completion of removal, Andrea Investments will still have ownership of the property. Driscoll stated, the City Commission has the ability to stop the removal process and take full control of the process.
However, Driscoll said the Commission is not at that point yet.
"They (Andrea Investments) are working through this and we are in regular communication with them," she said. "When it is all set and done, it is really up to the property owner on what they do."