Louisiana hotel targeted for demo

Funding to demolish a vacant hotel alongside a roadway entering Alexandria, Louisiana, may soon be earmarked.

A report by KALB-TV calls the former Select 10 Hotel and Suites “one of Alexandria’s worst eye sores” that is highly visible to motorists driving into the city from neighboring Pineville, Louisiana.

“The graffiti-riddled building has sat vacant for years while homeless groups have left behind trash piles around the property,” says Dylan Domangue of KALB-TV.

The report indicates Alexandria City Council is attempting to stretch a $600,000 citywide demolition budget, with council members having received feedback that the abandoned hotel should be a high priority.

KALB quotes one local business owner as saying, “This is what you get to look at” when entering the city, and “What kind of tone does that set for the city of Alexandria?” A councilman quoted refers to redevelopment possibilities after the demolition is completed.

A vote this week could make available sufficient funding to demolish the three structures located on the former hotel site, says the TV station.

The project, once started, is not seen as a major one by council members, with one telling the KALB personnel could be onsite by the second week in November and that they may be able to demolish all three buildings in just 10 days.