By: NICOLAS FIERRO
Salina Post
The City is expected to move forward with a bid from a construction company to clear off the debris at the property of the former Ambassador Hotel.
On June 1, during the Salina Commission public meeting, city staff is recommending commissioners accept a $782,411.00 bid from Diehl Enterprises.
A total of four bidders (including Diehl) submitted applications.
Those bidders included:
- Lazy H Fencing and Dirt Work – $325,480.00
- Diehl Enterprises – $782,411.00
- T&R Construction – $987,000.00
- Remco Demolition LLC – $1,800,000.00
The reason city staff is not recommending Lazy H Fencing and Dirt Work, is that they did not include the anticipated costs associated with the disposal of all demolition debris at a licensed disposal facility.
Staff then discussed the bid further with the company and they requested to be withdrawn from consideration, according to the city.
If approved, the city will then attempt to recover abatement expenses by requiring Andrea Investments to pay the cost of the abatement and all administrative fees to the City Clerk’s Office within 30 days of invoicing.
If no payment is received, the charges will be certified to the Saline County Clerk and placed on the property tax rolls.
Additionally, the City can consider bringing an action against the owners in district court for payment of a personal debt if the amount remains unpaid.
The demolition site of the former hotel has been full of debris since late October 2024.
Timeline
On July 22, 2024, the City Commission deemed the former hotel, a dangerous structure.
The City Commission scheduled a timeline for the owner to repair or complete demolition of the structure.
The owner and his architect met with the City Development Review Team on September 18, 2024, and indicated a desire to repair the structure.
However, the deadline of September 20, 2024, to engage necessary consultants and/or contractors to prepare and submit complete and accurate applications for the required permits was not met.
On October 28, 2024, it was directed that the City proceed to cause the Dangerous Structure be razed and removed and the cost of such work recovered by the City.
On November 18, 2024, Andrea Investments, hired a contractor to perform the demolition of the structure; a permit was obtained and the demolition started.
On June 24, 2025, Andrea Investments, LLC hired another contractor to finish the demolition.
In July of 2025, all activity stopped and equipment was removed from the site.
On December 22, 2025, the City Commission heard a request from Andrea Investments, LLC, related to the remaining demolition debris at 1616 W. Crawford Street.