Faribault Council Member Wants New Hotel to Fill Downtown Hole

Rice County continues to demolish buildings it owned in downtown Faribault to the east of the Courthouse and north of the Law Enforcement Center.

The city block is along a gateway into downtown Faribault along Highway 60.

The original Faribault Woolen Mills corporate building was one of the structures torn down over the last couple weeks.

Faribault City Councilmen Peter Van Sluis and Tom Spooner were guests on today's KDHL AM Minnesota program. Listen to the full show in the player below:

Van Sluis was not happy the county decided to take down the buildings.  Spooner said while it was sad a piece of the community's heritage is gone it was the "prudent" thing to do.

Spooner said it was, "The right decision to tear down the buildings."

I asked the veteran council members what they would like to see there eventually.

Spooner added the city will ultimately have some say in what happens in the area.

I then brought up information I was told about a city department necessity.

What we would really like to know is what people in Faribault or the surrounding area  think should be located there?

Keep in mind there will be a park eventually located on the north side of the viaduct not far from this location.  Central Park is also not far from the location.

Please indicate which of the following you would like to see located in that location.  You can also suggest something not listed here.

• Hotel  ________________________
• Apartment Buildings _______________
• Conference Center _________________
• Restaurant ___________________
• Bar __________________________
• Retail Strip of Shops _________________
• Tilt-A-Whirl Museum _________________
• Convenience Store  __________________
• Culvers  _____________________
• Wendy's _____________________
• Sporting Goods  Store _____________

If I get a number of responses I'll post the results.  Another legendary area of town is getting a facelift also.

This would be a good spot for a hotel right?