While a recent special Perry City Council meeting outlined the proposal for the purchase of the Hotel Pattee, those involved explain the importance of having local ownership of an icon of the City.  

Perry City Administrator Sven Peterson says that for roughly the last 12 to 13 years the hotel has been under private ownership, but the City of Perry and Perry Economic Development offers financial incentives. 

“It’s kind of coming to the time where okay we’ve done this a number of times and it kind of seems to have the same result so is it time to look at this project differently, is it time to think outside the box? Honestly, be very bold in what we are trying to do and how we look at things.”

Peterson says the investment of money into the hotel would have more local control and say if the proposal were to go through. Peterson explains the benefits the City would have with a partnership with Perry Economic Development. 

“Having Perry Economic Development involved is definitely a broad cross section of our business community. So having our business community involved and invested in that process also brings a lot of benefits and to the residents as well.”

Peterson says this helps show that local people are invested in making sure Hotel Pattee continues to be a vital part of the community. The hopes are for the proposal to be brought up at the upcoming February Council meeting.