Heather and Tyler Thomas, owners of the American, purchased the second floor of the original Park Hotel from the Downtown Development Authority this week. They plan to restore the building and use it for its original purpose.

The building has been vacant since the late 1950’s, according to the couple, but was once a thriving lodge and hotel.

Tyler said the couple never had intentions of getting involved in the hotel industry, but when he and his wife saw the second floor for sale they agreed they wanted to take on the challenge.

He said they are both creative, hardworking people who love the idea of restoring and preserving historical buildings. They also both have a love for the hospitality industry and see their restaurant going hand in hand with the future hotel.

The couple plans to make the beauty and history of the hotel really stand out. They plan to make each room unique and different and enhance the details that are currently in the room.

They want the hotel to feel luxurious and be of high quality and draw in a market that is interested in the downtown scene as a whole.

They want the new hotel to compliment the surrounding businesses such as the upcoming brewery, restaurants, and shops and they think having a place like this in the heart of downtown is the perfect way to do it.

The couple plans to start renovating in one- two months and have it finished and ready for operation in March of April of 2019.

“It’s an ambitious project, but we are ready to take it on,” Tyler said.