Sale finalized for New Perry Hotel despite uncertainty over apartment ordinance
The New Perry Hotel came under new ownership Tuesday.
Built in 1925 and vacant for several years, the hotel is now owned by the HALO Group. The non-profit was formed by four women, including three special education teachers, who want to turn the landmark into a home and workplace for adults with developmental disabilities.
After an extension on the purchasing contract, the deal finally closed Tuesday. The seller is developer Robin Loudermilk. The price was not disclosed.
“I am hoping we can get a construction loan done by the end of the year,” said Gary Martin, a Warner Robins businessman who serves on the HALO board. “My goal is to start construction by the first of next year.”
He said he hoped the restaurant will be open by summer 2019.
Ellie Loudermilk, president of the Perry Area Historical Society and a distant relative of the previous owner, said she would have preferred to see the hotel return to its traditional use but said she is happy to see the sale completed.
“We are just delighted someone sees the value in it and wants to save it,” she said.
The sale went through despite a decision by Perry City Council in August that could limit HALO’s plans. The council voted to require a special exception for any new apartment building of more than six units. The HALO Group wants to turn the motor court motel behind the main hotel into 14 apartments.
HALO members claimed the council action was aimed at stopping their project, which city officials denied. But HALO will be required to go before council to get the special exception for the 14 apartments. However, HALO members said even if the city turns them down, they can proceed with only six apartments.
Martin said that as a non-profit group, HALO can succeed where businesses have failed because HALO will be able to get grants and other assistance that was not available to previous owners. He said the first step will be to develop the plan for the property, then go before council to get the special exception.
HALO stands for Helping Achieve Life Outcomes by Having Agape Love of Others. The founders are Melanie Murphy, April Tew, Angela Cuti and Debbie Vickers. Murphy is a special education teacher while Tew, her sister, is a retired special ed teacher. Cuti is also a special ed teacher and Vickers is Cuti’s mother.
The teachers said they wanted to start HALO because their students frequently would graduate high school but have no where they could work.
Although nearly a century old, the hotel is called the New Perry Hotel because it replaced a hotel at the same location that dated back to 1833, Loudermilk said.
This story was originally published October 30, 2018 at 5:33 PM.