Elberton Considering Best Use for Historic Hotel

By David Stephens, WSGC Radio, Elberton

In Elbert County, the Elberton City Council is exploring multiple options regarding what to do with old Samuel Elbert Hotel on the downtown square.

The city purchased the building nearly a year ago, and ever since has been trying to come up with a good use for it.

One option would be to relinquish control of the hotel.   The city would no longer have any financial risk involved, but the likely developments would be either for a senior living or assisted living facility.

Elberton City Manager Lanier Dunn said that the council is wary of giving up complete control of the building.

“We are a little bit hesitant about giving up control of that property because it is so important to the downtown”, explained Dunn. “You really can not control what these developers will do once you turn over the building to them.”

Another option would explore a commercial development such as a restaurant, retail outlet, or office space.  Dunn says  the city would have more at stake financially, but it’s the option the council feels is best for the downtown area.

“It will take a while to put the project together, but the mayor and council believe that a commercial application is preferable to residential where we give up control of the facility”, said Dunn. “We will have a higher investment this way, but the downtown has been around for two hundred years, so we think any dollar spent down there will be turned over multiple times over the next decades and possibly centuries.”

So far, the city has made no decision on how to move forward.   Dunn said  the plan now is to look for funding and grant sources to help out with any potential project.