Crews cleared to prep site for Lane Hotel renovation

ROGERS -- Architects working on the renovation of the Lane Hotel received approval to close sidewalks and parking spots for construction during a Transportation Committee meeting Tuesday.

John Mack, JKJ Architects principal, said hazardous waste abatement could start at the building Nov. 25.

The 1928 hotel is considered a landmark in the city. It has sat vacant since 2003.

KLS Leasing of Delaware purchased the building June 30 from Ninety Second LP, a New Jersey company, according to Benton County deed documents. County documents also show KLS Leasing used a P.O. box often used by Walton family entities such as the Walton Family Foundation.

Mack said the abatement process could take up to two weeks. He said parking spaces and the sidewalk along South Second Street in front of the hotel will need to be closed during the process. Bins to hold the waste will be in this area, he said.

Parking and sidewalks on Poplar Street will need to be closed after the abatement process, Mack said. He said a four-week demolition will start at that time.

General construction will start in January, Mack said. He said construction will take about one year.

Mack said the plan is to have the building completed by the end of 2016.

Mayor Greg Hines said it's understandable the project would need extra space.

"It is a huge project," Hines said. "You are talking about a large building and bringing it up to code while respecting its history. It may be a little painful for some people, but at the end of the day I don't think there is one person who won't be excited about this."

Hines said he hasn't been informed about the building's use. Mack said the owner has asked him to not reveal the use.

The five-story building was built in a Spanish Colonial design, according to the city's website. It says aviator Amelia Earhart, boxer Jack Dempsey and actor Errol Flynn were a few famous occupants of the hotel.

Metro on 11/14/2015

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