Elberton City Council Puts Historic Hotel Renovation Out for Bid

By David Stephens, WSGC Radio, Elberton

The City of Elberton is taking the next step in its plan to rehab the historic Samual Elbert Hotel.

During a called meeting Tuesday, Mayor Larry Guest and the Elberton City Council voted to put the hotel rehabilitation project out for bid.

Councilman Joel Seymour said the council should not only look at developing the downtown square, but the entire downtown area.

“We should be ever mindful of the entire city in addition to just the square, and look at our city, and be part of a package and development”, said Seymour. “I think this is a good development for the square; I’m not objected to it, but it needs to be apart of what we are going to do for the next twenty years.”

The council discussed the project for well over an hour before Mayor Guest asked for a motion.

Even though the council has approved letting the project out to bid, Elberton City Manager Lanier Dunn still says the city isn’t fully committed to the project financially yet.

The council was presented the most recent budget estimate for the work, which came in a just shy of $3.8 million.

Included in that $3.8 million cost is approximately 26 hotel rooms, a restaurant, a bar and lounge, a banquet or meeting room, and parking lot improvements.

Dunn said his office continues to work out the financial details.